VIJAYAWADA: As a large number of pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh are going to Sabarimala temple every year, Kerala Chief Secretary Dr Vishwas Mehta has written a letter to his AP counterpart Nilam Sawhney appealing to her to ensure that the pilgrims adhere to the COVID-19 protocols by giving adequate publicity in the State.
Vishwas Mehta said that all pilgrims will have to register on the virtual queue portal of the Kerala police (https://sabarimalaonline.org). Initially only 1,000 pilgrims on week days and 2,000 pilgrims on weekends will be allowed to register, on a first come first serve basis.
Covid negative certificate obtained within 48 hours of Darshan will be mandatory for registration. The entry points will have Antigen Test facilities. Making it clear that children below 10 years and elders above 60 years will not be permitted, it was mentioned that pilgrim routes will be restricted to two -Erumeli and Vadaserikara. The Kerala Chief Secretary urged his AP counterpart to take initiative to sensitise pilgrims in AP about the guidelines.
COVID protocol
All pilgrims will have to register on the portal — https://sabarimalaonline.org
COVID negative certificate is mandatory for darshan
Children and elders will not be allowed to visit temple
Ghee Abhishekam, bathing at Pampa river will not be allowed