Puri: A day after one servitor at the Puri Jagannath Temple tested positive for Coronavirus, the Odisha Government has decided to undertake covid-19 test of around 5000 sevayats and policemen, who were engaged in Rath Yatra in Puri.
Speaking to media after a high-level meeting, vice-chairman of Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said around 2,500 servitors will undergo a second round COVID test and it will be completed by June 28.
It has also been decided that only those who comes negative in covid-19 test will be allowed to take part in the Bahuda Yatra (return journey) of the deities, he said,
Besides the servitors, the policemen and the municipality sweepers will also undergo the test.
Mahapatra also stressed to disinfect the entire Pilgrim Town and to develop large scale isolation facilities for those who show symptoms and those who test positive of COVID-19 along with their family members.
Notably, 1,143 servitors had undergone COVID-19 testing prior to attending the Rath Yatra on Monday and as one of them tested positive, it has been decided to conduct large-scale testing of the persons who will be involved in all the festivals till Niladri Bije.