In the wake of coronavirus outbreak and Covid-19 spread in Keralam, the Travancore Devaswom Board president N Vasu has requested the public to avoid attending the monthly poojas at the Lord Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala. "I appeal to all devotees to avoid visiting the Sabarimala Temple. Also, I request all the temples to cancel festivals that involve public gatherings," Mr Vasu said.

The shrine is to open on Friday for the monthly rituals in the Malayalam month of Meenam. However, the pilgrims who are visiting the temple will not be stopped. The pooja and other rituals will be carried out by the Melsanthi and other Board staff residing at Sabarimala. No additional staff will be deputed to the temple.

A similar shut down in Sabarimala has happened when the flood havoc hit the state. The devotees could not visit the temple for monthly rituals in August as Pamba was overflowing and the paths were completely destroyed. Announcing a high alert across the state, including a ban on all official public functions, the Chief Minister after a special meeting had announced that all educational institutions will remain shut from Wednesday till March 31.