Vaishno Devi Yatra not likely to resume from August 16 as 11 test positive in Trikuta Hills

The much-awaited Vaishno Devi yatra might not resume even after August 16 as reported earlier. Reportedly, 11 people have tested Corona positive at Bhawan in Trikuta Hills of Reasi district.

Referring to this, an official in the know-how informed that 11 people tested positive for COVID-19 at Bhawan; three tested positive on Tuesday, whereas eight, including some of the priests, tested positive on Wednesday.The yatra was supposed to resume from August 16, but the situation does not seem to favour this now. Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir administration announced reopening of all religious places of worship, as well as the Vaishno Devi shrine, from Aug 16. Previously, while issuing guidelines for the Vaishno Devi yatra, it was decided that a maximum of 500 pilgrims per day would be permitted within the ceiling in a graded manner from outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The administration had also declared Ramban as the only district in Jammu division as a red zone, whereas all districts in Kashmir, except Bandipora, are declared to be red zones. The administration had asked the people to follow Standard Operating Procedures for respective zones or face penal action in case of any violation.

As reported earlier, an official from the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board stated that since the government has decided to now open all religious places, they will be strictly adhering to the COVID-19 SOPs before re-opening the shrine to devotees. The official also informed that the board would be soon announcing its own SOP, to ensure that the yatra is conducted with all the necessary precautions in place.
However, as per the latest developments, it seems like pilgrims will have to wait longer to make it to the yatra.