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Puri: As many as 50 persons associated with the Lord’s service at Srimandir in the pilgrim town have so far tested positive for Covid-19 infection, informed the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) (Development) Administrator Ajay Kumar Jena on Monday.
Among the positives, 22 are sevayats (servitors) of the shrine and their family members while the rest include 19 workers engaged at the shoe stand and nine more who were posted inside the temple, added Jena.
On the other hand, out of the 17 people who arrived in Puri after attending Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Haridwar, two have tested negative for coronavirus infection.
The reports of 13 others who have undergone RT-PCR tests are awaited while two of the 17 returnees are yet to undergo the test, said reports.
It may be noted that the State Government had directed all Kumbh Mela returnees to undergo RT-PCR Covid-19 test before returning to the State. Moreover, they have been asked to quarantine themselves for 14 days at home or in Cluster TMCs.
Amidst the surge in Covid-19 cases at the 12-century shrine and Puri town, all the pilgrims from outside the State, as per the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the SJTA recently, will have to mandatorily produce RT-PCR negative report for entry into the temple complex from today.
All devotees coming in from other states will have to produce Covid-19 negative reports generated within 96 hours of their entry or those who have received both doses of vaccine can produce the vaccination certificate. However, locals have been exempted from the new norm.
A total of four kiosks have been installed outside the temple where the pilgrims will have to produce their identity cards and other necessary documents for entry into the Lord Jagannath Temple.
As per the new SOP, the temple will remain closed for devotees on Saturdays and Sundays. Earlier it remained closed only on Sundays for sanitisation. Though the temple will be closed on weekends, servitors will perform their respective duties as per schedule.
Similarly, devotees can have the darshan of the deities from the ‘Bahar Katha’. This apart, every devotee should compulsorily wear face mask properly, sanitise hands and maintain physical distance at all times as per Covid-19 guidelines.
The devotees have been requested not to touch any idols or statues inside the temple nor are they allowed to carry any offering.
Meanwhile, devotees visiting the Puri Srimandir have welcomed the decision and appreciated the arrangements at the 12-century shrine.
“I have come from Kolkata with my family and there are proper arrangements for document verification. They are also taking measures to avoid gathering at the temple. I welcome the decision to prevent the transmission,” said a devotee.
