By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/PURI: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration Managing Committee Vice Chairman Suresh Chandra Mahapatra was on Wednesday said servitors and police personnel to be engaged during Bahuda Jatra in Puri in Odisha will undergo COVID-19 test ahead of the event to contain possible spread of deadly virus. Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) will take responsibility of conducting COVID test on servitors and police personnel.
“After success of Ratha Jatra, now Bahuda Jatra has become more challenging for us to prevent COVID infections in Puri. As per Supreme Court order and restrictions for Ratha Jatra, only those servitors and police personnel will test negative for COVID-19 will participate in the Bahuda Jatra of Lord Jagannath,” Mahapatra told media.
The servitors, who are directly involved in the Ratha Jatra, will undergo Corona test in two rounds before the chariots take Dakhina Moda (south turn). The police personnel, who will pull the chariots during Bahuda Jatra, will also be tested to detect COVID-19 before the event.
Odisha DGP Abhay urged the people of the state not to visit Puri in view of the curfew imposed in parts of the town.The DGP further informed that darshan of deities by devotees will not be allowed.