The ongoing Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, Uttarakhand is “becoming a super-spreading event” and the government hopes that the SOP formulated for it is being implemented, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference on the COVID-19 situation in India, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, “Maha Kumbh is becoming a super-spreader event. The duration of the Kumbh Mela has already been curtailed from 3-4 months to one month this year.”
He added that the Centre has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) that details the practices that should be adopted at the Kumbh Mela.
Dr VK Paul, member Niti Aayog (health) and part of the Centre’s core team for Covid-19 pandemic, said he “hopes” that the SOP issued for the Haridwar Kumbh Mela is being followed on the ground.
“If the government does not decide to end Kumbh before the stipulated time, it may become a Covid-19 super-spreader,” ANI quoted an official as saying.
Quoting unnamed sources, it added that the government is forming a team that will appeal to all with the help of sadhus and religious leaders to ensure pilgrims wear masks and follow social-distancing norms.
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