By Our Correspondent
PURI/BHUBANESWAR: The Shree Lord Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s pilgrimage city of Puri will remain close for devotees on Saturday and Sunday in view of the present COVID-19 crisis. As per the SOP, all devotees will be required to bring their photo ID Card, namely, Aadhaar/ NVoter 1D or any other photo ID card for identification.It is mandatory for all pilgrims to wear Masks at all times both inside & outside of the Temple. People flouting the norms will be fined if required, and will be refused entry to the temple, the SOP mentioned.
The decision was taken a meeting chaired by SJTA Chief Administrator Dr Krishan Kumar and attended by Collector Samartha Verma, Puri; SP, Puri Vishal Singh Officials of Shree Jagannatha Temple Administration and Senior Servitors members.
Dr.Kumar said that detailed discussions were held on the implementation of guidelines laid down in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for reopening of Shree Jagannath Temple as notified on December 22, 2020, subsequent order on January 11, 2021 and also April 3, 2021. The new SOP will come to effect from April 19, 2021 (Monday).
“It was unanimously agreed that there is a need to bring more restrictions in view of the rapid spread of COVID-19 across India in last few days,” he said adding that the Temple will remain closed for Public Darshan on all Saturdays & Sundays as a measure to contain the spread of Coronavirus disease and in order to sanitize the Temple premises.
He said all devotees visiting the temple from outside of Odisha State will be required to bring covID-19 negative Certificate (RT PCR) of testing done within 96 hours prior to their visit to the Temple or to produce a report on the 2nd dose of Anti-COVID vaccination.Any other guidelines issued by the state government with respect to restrictions on persons coming from other States shall be scrupulously followed, he said. .
It said that “Darshan” of the Lords by the public/devotee will be allowed only from “Bahara Katha” (outer barricade) of the temple while the devotees should sanitize their hands before entering the Temple. There should be strict enforcement for ensuring COVID appropriate behavior by all concerned, it said
“The above amendments to the standard operating procedures will come into force from 19.04.2021,” Dr.Kumar said adding that the SOP guidelines will be reviewed further from time to time, keeping in mind management of COVID-19 pandemic.
