KATHMANDU: With the rising cases of covoravirus infection in the recent days, all temples in the Pashupathnath premises, including Pashupatinath Temple, Guheshwori and others, will remain closed from this Friday.

However, regular worship will continue unhindered in those temples, Treasurer of Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) Dr Milan Kumar Thapa said.

Issuing a press note Thursday, PADT said the latest decision comes after the issuance of health protocol by the government in line with the Infectious Disease Control Act, 1964 for the containment of COVID-19 in the country after the reported case of a new virus variant.

In the Pashupati area, all activities, except for the regular pooja, have been banned. PADT apologized to all pilgrims for the inconvenience caused due to closure of temples.

Last year too, the temples in Pathupathnath area were closed for nine months due to the lockdown imposed by the government to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

Likewise, PADT urged stakeholders not to exceed the number of people attending the funeral procession as set by the government for health precautionary measures. All funeral attendants must mandatorily use face mask. RSS