Pilgrimage and registration for the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan will be suspended beginning Sunday midnight in view of the Coronavirus outbreak, the Home Ministry said.
The government has also suspended movement of all types of passengers through international border points with Pakistan from 00:00 hours of March 16 in view of the coronavirus threat.
“In wake of COVID19 India outbreak, as a precautionary measure to contain and control spread of the disease, the travel and registration for Sri Kartarpur Sahib is temporarily suspended from 00:00 hours on March 16, 2020, till further orders,” a home ministry spokesperson said.
An official posted at the integrated check post in Punjab’s Gurdaspur said BSF officials will hold a meeting with Pakistan Rangers to inform about the suspension of movement of pilgrims.
Official further said the pilgrims, who had got registration, would be intimated about suspension of pilgrimage.
The decisions have been taken in view of the coronavirus threat, a home ministry official said.
Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday described the suspension of the pilgrimage to the Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan as a “temporary measure” in the wake of the coronavirus scare.
The CM reiterated his commitment to ensure that the corridor always remain open, “except during crisis”.
In November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated a dedicated corridor connecting Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab with Kartarpur Sahib gurudwara in Pakistan.