Covid Surge: Puri Swargadwar Closed For Outsiders

Puri: Amid massive resurgence in Covid-19 positive cases in the State, the district administration of Puri has imposed a ban on cremation of bodies from outside the district at Swargadwar.

The administration’s decision comes following a steady rise in Covid-19 positive cases in the district, Puri Sub-collector Bhabataran Sahoo said.

“Cremation of dead bodies coming from outside Puri district has been barred. The bodies from only Puri district will be allowed for cremation on the condition that the person must not have died of Covid,” he added.

The relatives of the deceased will have to produce relevant documents regarding the cause of death before the district administration, the sub-collector said.

Death certificate from hospital in case a person died during treatment will be accepted. In case of natural death at home, the relatives have to produce a written document from the concerned sarpanch of their panchayat, Sahoo said.

Similar restrictions have also been imposed against the immersion of ashes ‘Asthi Visarjan, in Mahodadhi (Bay of Bengal near Swargadwar).

“Outsiders have been restricted to perform such rituals at the sea due to rising trend in covid-19 cases in the district,” Sahoo pointed out.

In July last year, the district administration had also banned cremation of outsiders at the Swargadwar due to rising covid-19 cases. However, it had lifted the curbs in October following a sharp decline in the positive cases in the State especially Puri district.

(Edited by Suryakant Jena)