Mumba Devi temple in Mumbai had been shut amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, temple authorities have decided to reopen its doors to fully vaccinated devotees on the first day of Navratri, that is, October 7. By Anushka Goel
The Mumba Devi temple, located in Maharashtra‘s Mumbai, had been shut amid rising COVID-19 cases in the city. As fresh cases continue to decline now, temple authorities are set to reopen the temple’s doors to devotees, keeping state guidelines in mind. The temple will reopen on October 7, and only fully vaccinated devotees will be allowed to enter. Devotees will be allowed only through pre-booking via the temple trust’s mobile application, news agency ANI said in a tweet.
Mumbai’s Mumba Devi Temple trust has issued guidelines for devotees as the temple opens from tomorrow for the public with Covid protocols. All devotees will be allowed only through pre-booking on Temple Trust’s mobile application. pic.twitter.com/DE6NrO8D7u
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2021
LiveMint reported that the devotees will have to register on the temple‘s website before entering the Mumba Devi’s premises. Further, unvaccinated devotees wishing to enter will have to provide a negative COVID-19 certificate. Keeping the ongoing COVID-19 situation in mind, flowers, garlands and prasad will not be allowed at the temple. Further, the media house reports that sprinkling holy water and touching idols, statues and holy books will not be allowed at the places of worship.
Further, entry points at religious places will have thermal screening and sanitising facilities, and posters and videos spreading awareness about COVID-19 and preventive measures will have to be displayed, reports the media house.
Last month, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had tweeted that the government will be allowing religious places to reopen on October 7. The government has also issued strict protocols and guidelines for devotees looking to visit these places of worship, reports India.com.
All places of worship will reopen for devotees from the first day of Navaratri, i.e., 7th October 2021, while observing all COVID safety protocols.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) September 24, 2021
The Maharashtra government issued an SoP last week to contain the spread of COVID-19 in places of worship. These SoPs state that people aged above 65, those with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children aged below 10 are advised against visiting these places, reports Free Press Journal. Maintaining social distancing (of at least six feet) is feasible, and wearing masks or face cover is mandatory. These rules are applicable at all places of worship in Maharashtra, including the Mumba Devi temple.
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