The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Tuesday evening appealed pilgrims to postpone their visit to the cave shrine in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The appeal came after the Board’s CEO Ramesh Kumar reviewed the situation in Jammu where three persons have tested positive for the virus.

“The CEO reviewed all aspects related to the yatra and thesafety of pilgrims. Considering the spread of Covid-19 infection, the CEOappealed pilgrims to postpone their visit to the holy cave shrine tillnormalisation of the situation,” said an official spokesman.

The Shrine Board had already taken several preventivemeasures for ensuring safety of the pilgrims. These include curtailing of AtkaAarti slots, closing of Garbhjoon Cave at Adhkuwari, restricting yatra ingroups etc.

All pilgrims visiting the shrine have to fill self reportingforms available at yatra registration counters, accommodations and helipadterminal of the shrine. Further, they are required to pass through mandatorythermal scanning at Katra before proceeding for the pilgrimage.

“Those, who have already reached base camp Katra andpresently undertaking the pilgrimage shall, however, undergo all the preventivemeasures,” he added.

Almost 2500 people including travellers and people arecurrently under surveillance in Jammu and Kashmir while 2095 people are underhome quarantine.

Across the union territory, 29 people are now quarantined inhospitals and 178 people are under home surveillance. A total of 176 peoplehave completed their 28-day surveillance period so far.