BENGALURU: Everyone who participated in the Kumbh Mela must undergo Covid tests on their return to
Karnataka and must stay in home quarantine if found negative, say experts, who fear pilgrims could turn superspreaders.
While the state government says it has no data on participants and may have to wait for people to self-declare on arrival, experts say details would be available with the Haridwar district administration and the government must make efforts to get them.
On Thursday, health minister K Sudhakar urged those returning from the mela to stay in home quarantine and get themselves tested. On March 1, the health commissioner had issued a circular to all districts, saying all pilgrims and visitors to the mela should strictly comply with rules. “On their return, they shall be informed to self-isolate themselves at home and immediately undergo compulsory RT-PCR testing and following the negative report, shall restore normal activities (sic),” the circular stated.
But experts say self-declaration would be ineffective, given the spread of the virus at the mela. Dr V Ravi, virologist and member of the technical advisory committee (TAC), said Kumbh Mela organisers would have a database with details of everyone participat-He said workplaces, corporate companies, apartment complexes and resident welfare associations must track down participants and ensure that they are tested and quarantined on return.
Dr CN Manjunath, cardiologist and chairperson of the expert committee formed by the high court, admitted the Kumbh Mela is a matter of serious concern. “Testing must be made compulsory for participants on arrival,” he said. “When we are concerned about crowds at weddings here, an event like this is haping in the mela. They had one in previous years too.
“The state must get the data, get in touch with pilgrims and sensitise them,” Dr Ravi said. “The government should follow up, test them on arrival and ensure they are quarantined for 14 days. Implementing this is not easy, but that’s the only way ahead.”
Science should have taken precedence over faith at least during the pandemic, said Dr US Vishal Rao, Covid expert committee member. “It’s a spiritual superspreader event,” he said.
pening. Kumbh Mela and even election campaigns will become superspreader events. They should not have been held. The entire healthcare system will be thrown out of gear with such events.”
A TAC member said, “Rules are in place. If pilgrims are honest, they will get tested.” Another member said: “When swimming pools are closed, we have several thousand people taking a holy dip. Kumbh Mela will become a superspreader event and tracking participants will be a Herculean task.”
KV Trilok Chandra, health commissioner, said he would check with officials in Haridwar if they have details on participants.