West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday appealed to

the pilgrims arriving at the Ganga Sagar Mela to abide by Covid rules and use double masks.

" There is a direction of Calcutta High Court, and we have to follow it. People arriving here from outside should be taken care of properly. If necessary, take help of civil police. Make sure that

devotees follow the rules, " Banerjee said while inaugurating the fair at Outram Ghat here.

She said, " Without RT-PCR test, one cannot go to Gangasagar. The High Court has given clear instructions on RT-PCR. "

“I urge the pilgrims not to overcrowd vehicles to reach Sagar Island. If there is a single corona

patient in a vehicle, the rest will be infected, " Banerjee cautioned.

The chief minister made it clear that everyone has to abide by the covid rules as much as possible.

Earlier, while allowing the annual congregation of pilgrims which will take place between January 8

and 16, the HC has directed that the entire Sagar Island be declared a notified area. The bench on Monday iterated that this be done within 24 hours.

The High court has instructed that all those visiting the Mela should be doubly vaccinated and test negative in an RTPCR test, conducted 72 hours before reaching the venue.

It has also asked for strict regulation of crowds to maintain social distancing. Declaration of the

island as a notified area will empower the state to take measures for safeguarding the health and welfare of the pilgrims as it deems necessary.

The religious congregation is taking place amidst a steep rise in Omicron cases across several states, including West Bengal. Lakhs of people are expected to congregate for the Mela in South 24 Parganas in this period.