UP temples differ on reopening plan

LUCKNOW: Although UP governeent has allowed religious places to open from June 8, prominent shirines have different plans for unlocking. So, while Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is opening from June 8, temple managements in Mathura have said that they can't open until they get proper police protection. Some prominent temples in Lucknw, too, will open from June 15.
Directions were issued by chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday while he was reviewing preparations to enforce ‘Unlock-1’ from June 8.The CM has said that all religious places will be required to have hand sanitizers, thermal scanners and pulse oxymeters at the entrance so that devotees can be scanned for temperature or low oxygen levels.
Additional Chief Secretary (home) Awanish Awasthi said that footwear will have to be left outside the religious place, preferably in the devotees’ vehicles, before they enter the place. The administration of the religious place should also make arrangements for people to keep their footwear safely outside the building. To enforce social distancing, not more than five persons will be allowed inside at any point.
“We are following the central government’s guidelines on this issue. The CM has said that before religious places are opened, the administration and police should establish contact with religious leaders and inform them of all the rules. They should ensure their assistance and cooperation in enforcing the rules,” he said.
As also directed by the Centre, nobody will be allowed to touch any idol or religious book inside the place of worship while no prasad will be distributed either.
The CM has stressed on constant surveillance by administration and police, directing officials to intensify patrolling especially in crowded areas. Patrolling will also be done outside places of religious worship while they open up to ensure that rules are being adhered to.
Restaurants, hotels and places related to hospitality services are also set to open up from June 8. Officials said that the government is in touch with industry representatives to ensure that all protocols are strictly followed in these places.