Chennai: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has revoked an order requiring two doses of COVID-19 vaccine for worshippers and visitors to Madurai's Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple and Rameswaram's Sri Ramanathaswamy temple.
On Saturday, the Joint Commissioner of the HR&CE Department, Chelladurai, said that beginning Monday (December 13), visitors to the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple must show proof of having received both doses of the vaccines, citing a Madurai district administration advisory on the prevention of a third wave. Those who do not have proof of immunisation will not be allowed into the temple.
Similarly, municipal officials at Rameswaram had up large hoardings at strategic sites, asking visitors and worshippers to get inoculated. An official had stated, "Only those who have received the vaccine dosages will be permitted to enter into the Sri Ramanathaswamy temple." Vaccine vials had also been kept on hand by the Health Department, and patients were given doses on the spot.
Mandates at both temples, however, were revoked on Sunday. P.K. Sekarbabu, HR&CE Minister, said the Department has already taken necessary COVID-19 safety precautions at the temples when approached. He stated that the guidelines for preventing the spread of the infection are being followed. As a result, it was decided that a vaccine requirement for entering temple grounds was unnecessary at this time.
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