Starting from December 26, it is mandatory for devotees visiting the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala to carry a COVID-19 negative certificate, as directed by the Kerala High Court and state government.
“Covid-19-negative certificate after an RT-PCR test, taken not more than 48 hours prior to their visit to the temple, is a must for the pilgrims to visit the shrine. Else they will not be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage,” said N Vasu, president of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB).