Odisha: Restriction imposed on Srimandir servitors for COVID containment

Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has imposed various restrictions on the servitors of the temple for containing the spread of COVID-19.

As per the decision of the SJTA, the servitors testing positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to enter the temple premises for 17 days. Case will be registered against the violators, informed SJTA Administrator (Development) Ajay Jena.

This apart, the servitors will be penalised for spitting pan/gutkha on the temple premises.

Worth mentioning, around 450 servitors of the temple have tested positive for the virus. The incident had raised concern over the smooth conduct of rituals of the deities.

The SJTA has been mulling to engage Palia Sevayats  for carrying out the rituals, sources said.