In view of the outbreak of Coronavirus, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has taken necessary precautionary measures. The Shrine Boardhas scaled up efforts to arrest the impact of Coronavirus in the Shrine Area.As a preventive measure, the Shrine Board issued an advisory to the NRIs/foreigners and other visitors not to visit the Shrine for 28 days after landing in India as a precautionary measure against Coronavirus. The domestic visitor shaving symptoms like cough, heavy fever and breathing problems also advised to reschedule or postpone their visit to the Holy Shrine. The advisories are also being issued on the Multipurpose Audio System throughout the track from Katrato Bhawan for creating awareness about the Coronavirus. Additionally, mandatory and complete thermal scanning of all the pilgrims at Tarakote, Banganga and Helipad has been ensured. The cleaning of all the establishments of the Board with disinfectants, at least four times a day is being done. The congregation points like Queue Complexes, Waiting Halls, Accommodations, Atka Area are regularly sanitized with disinfectants.

Mr. Ramesh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata VaishnoDevi Shrine Board said that dedicated Yatri Help Desks have been set up atRailway Station Katra, Helipad, Enquiry and Reservation at Niharika Complexwherein Self Declaration Forms have been mandated for the pilgrims visitingfrom the affected countries. He said that a large number of advisory hoardingshave been installed at all prominent places for general awareness of thepilgrims visiting the Shrine.

Mr. Ramesh Kumar said that as a preparatory and preventivestep, all the doctors and paramedics in the Shrine Board have been properlytrained and sensitized to adopt necessary precautionary measures for thepilgrims showing Coronavirus like symptoms.To safeguard the staff and pilgrims,sufficient number of personal protection equipments like masks, gloves,sanitizers etc have been arranged and issued to different units of the Board.