Amid fears of a possible third wave of Covid-19, Uttarakhand government on July 13suspended the Kanwar yatra. This comes even as neighbouring Uttar Pradesh is pressing ahead with the annual ritual that sees a heavy movement of pilgrims across states in the northern belt. At a meeting on July 13 with top officials of the administration & police, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami discussed apprehensions of a possible third wave of Covid-19. He also discussed about the recent detection of the Delta Plus variant in the state & the experience of other countries that have witnessed a resurgence of Covid-19 cases. Reportedly, the government also sought the view of experts before arriving at the decision to cancel the yatra. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged that only a minimum number of people should participate in the annual yatra. He also directed strict implementation of the Covid-19 protocol, an official spokesman said on July 13 to The Indian Express. The state government, which has allowed the yatra from July 25, said a negative RT-PCR test report can be made compulsory for pilgrims, if required. Talking to The Indian Express on the arrangements for the yatra this year, UP ADG Kumar said Covid-19 protocol will be followed. “It is expected that this year there will be lesser crowd as appeals are being sent out to this effect,” Kumar said.
