AGENCIES, New Delhi: The pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi has been closed with effect from Wednesday and operations of all inter-state buses both incoming and outgoing buses from Jammu and Kashmir have also been banned in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Earlier on Tuesday, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) had asked pilgrims to put off their visit to the famous cave temple in an effort to contain COVID-19 spread. “We have not suspended the yatra… all necessary measures have been taken to meet the challenge posed by coronavirus infection,” Ramesh Kumar, CEO of SMVDSB told news agency PTI.
In a statement, the SMVDSB board said several preventive measures are being taken for ensuring the safety of pilgrims, including the closing of Garbhjoon cave at Adhukuwari, curtailing Atka Aarti and restricting yatra in groups.
The board had earlier on March 15 has issued an advisory to NRIs and foreign nationals to not visit the cave temple for 28 days after landing in India to continue the outbreak.
A total of three confirmed cases of coronavirus has been confirmed in Jammu and Kashmir till this report.
