Puri: A bio-bubble has been created at the Rath Khala site, the place where the construction of the chariots for the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath is underway, to ensure a secure and hassle-free environment to the servitors.
The protected environment has been created by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) with the help of Puri district administration after eight sevayats tested positive for COVID-19 over the last four days.
Only the authorized persons will be allowed inside the Rath Khala site. Specific police arrangement and barricading has been done at the site.
Talking about it, Puri Collector Samarth Verma said that a total of 79 servitors, including 30 carpenters and 30 bhoi servitors have been engaged in Rath Khala work. The bio-bubble will ensure a secure and protected environment to the servitors as they will not come in contact with outsiders.
Only those associated with the chariot construction work will be allowed to enter the bio-bubble, he said.
The servitors engaged in the chariot construction work have already taken their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, the Collector further said.
The servitors, who tested positive for the virus, are currently undergoing treatment at different covid centres, he added.