Uttar Pradesh: Mathura temples shut doors for devotees on Sundays

AGRA: In wake of the latest Covid-19 surge, several temple managements in Mathura have decided to shut doors for devotees on Sundays, in line with Uttar Pradesh government’s orders of complete lockdown for a day.
Banke Bihari temple has not only shut its doors for devotees, but has also suspended the online registration system. And Rangnath temple has also announced the same. Dwarkadheesh temple has closed the temple doors for devotees from April 18 to 25.
“Though the temple management is following all protocols, it is difficult to find out who is infected,” said Rakesh Tewari, spokesperson of Dwarkadheesh temple. He added that being a responsible citizen it is "our duty to take all steps to break the chain of Covid infection and that’s why the temple management has decided to close it for a week".
Meanwhile, Mathura district administration has placed curbs on travellers coming into the temple town from other states. Monitoring committees have been directed to keep a track on travellers coming from different districts and they all will be screened and if they are asymptomatic then they will have to be home quarantined for seven days, said Mathura district magistrate (DM) Navneet Singh Chahal.
The DM added that in case they are found symptomatic then they will be advised for 14 days home quarantine and if their report is positive then "isolation" will be decided as per their health condition. On Saturday, 130 new cases were reported in the district.
In view of the prevailing Covid situation, UP power minister Shrikant Sharma has released Rs 1 crore from 'legislature fund' to ensure proper medical arrangements such as testing, treatment and equipment in the hospitals across the district.