As the Gujarat government has approved Jagannath Rath Yatra in Ahmedabad, police commissioner Sanjay Srivastava stated that everyone taking part in this Yatra on July 12 will have to adhere to COVID guidelines and follow social distancing norms.Forty eight people, who will participate in the procession, will be tested for Covid-19 at least 48 hours before taking out the yatra. They will undergo RT-PCR Covid-19 tests.
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state government has made it clear that except for three chariots and two other vehicles, no other vehicle, singing troupes, akhadas, elephants or decorated trucks will be allowed during the procession this time.
To stop people from gathering along the route for a glimpse of the deity, a curfew will be imposed on the entire yatra route from early morning till afternoon, Minister of State for Home Pradeepsinh Jadeja told reporters in the state capital Gandhinagar.
Last year, only a symbolic rath yatra was organised in the premises of the Lord Jagannath temple in Jamalpur area here after the Gujarat High Court denied permission for the usual public procession in the wake of the pandemic.
Traditionally, the procession, led by chariots, would start early at around 7 am from the 400-year-old temple and return by 8 pm.
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