Over 450,000 pilgrims visit Shwedagon Pagoda during COVID-19 period

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Devotees and worshippers pay homage to the Shwedagon Pagoda.

People were allowed to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda this year and a total of 454,316 people, monks and nuns have visited the famous pagoda since February, according to the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees.
The Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon has been temporarily closed for more than 10 months since 9 April 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With advice of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee Sayadaws and permission of the State Administration Council, pagodas were opened in accordance with the COVID-19 preventive measures and the limited numbers of monks and nuns were given priority on 8 and 9 February.
Starting from 11 February, monks and pilgrims from all over the country were allowed to visit the pagoda as prevention and treatment were able to control the spread of the disease to some extent.
A total of 444,808 people including 23,085 monks, 9,087 nuns; 200,671 men (domestic), 210,478 women (domestic), 998 (men) foreigners and 489 (women) foreigners have visited the pagoda from 8 February to 10 September this year.
From 11 September to yesterday afternoon, a total of 9,508 people including 288 monks, 290 nuns, 4,242 males (domestic), 4,647 females (domestic), 35 (men) foreigners and six (women) foreigners visited the pagoda.
Thus, a total of 454,316 people, monks and nuns have visited the pagoda from 8 February to date.
Pilgrims from nunneries came to recite the Pathana Pali on 15 September, and on 4 September the Shwe Nyi Ko Image Cleansing Association cleansed Buddha images at Shin Arahan prayer hall of the Pagoda.
Monks and pilgrims were allowed to pay homage at the Shwedagon Pagoda from 6 am on 11 February following the rules and regulations of COVID-19.
A total of 3,000 people, monks and nuns were allowed to visit the pagoda three times in the morning and three times in the evening earlier this year.
Starting from 24 March, worship times were rescheduled for two times a day with sessions of 6 am to 11 am and 1 pm to 6 pm.
Pilgrims were asked to strictly follow the COVID-19 prevention measures and enter the Disinfection Chamber when they arrived at the pagoda. Hand washing and body temperature measurements are carried out by the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees. — Pwint Thitsar/GNLM

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