Odisha: Restriction on cremation of bodies at Puri Swargadwar lifted

Puri: Following decline in COVID-19 positive cases in Puri, the district administration has decided to lift restriction on performing last rites of the bodies from outside Puri district at Swargadwar, with effect from today.

“After reviewing the present COVID situation, we have withdrawn the restriction imposed at Puri Swargadwar on cremation of bodies belonging to other districts today,” informed Puri Collector Balwant Singh.

He made it clear that only the bodies of persons, who die due to other diseases or reasons, will be allowed for cremation at the crematorium in Puri.

However, the restrictions will continue for performing last rites of persons, who succumb to COVID-19, at Swargadwar in Puri.

The district administration chief said that the last rites of persons can be conducted at Swargadwar with strict adherence to COVID-19 rules.

“More than 20 persons at a funeral will not be allowed at Swargadwar. Wearing mask, use of sanitiser and maintaining social distancing are mandatory during the funeral ceremony at the crematorium as per the Government’s advisory,” Singh informed media.

He appealed to people coming from other districts and states to follow COVID-19 guidelines to perform last rites of the deceased persons to prevent possible spread of infection.

It is worth mentioning that the district administration had imposed a ban on observance of last rites at Swargadwar for people belonging to other districts when the district was at its COVID-19 peak in the last 3 months.

Recently, the authorities in Puri had extended the restriction as well as immersion of ashes at Mahodadhi (sea) till October 31 in view of COVID-19 pandemic.