Odisha: Covid curbs eased for devotees to visit Shree Jagannath Temple
India Today
For the first time in nearly two years, Covid-related restrictions have been eased for devotees to visit Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri.
For the first time in nearly two years, Covid-related restrictions have been eased for devotees to visit Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri.
From February 21, devotees will not be required to show vaccination certificates or RT-PCR negative test reports to enter the 12th-century shrine.
The decision was taken at the Chhatisa Nijog (apex body of temple servitor bodies) meeting where SJTA Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar was also present to discuss the preparations ahead of President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit on February 19.
Krishan Kumar informed that devotees will not be required to carry double-dose vaccination certificates to visit the temple from February 21, 2022. Furthermore, devotes will not be needed to show RT-PCR test reports to go inside the temple.
“Since the daily Covid-19 cases have dropped considerably, the Chhatisa Nijog decided to do away with these norms for the devotees,” Krishan Kumar informed.
Kumar, however, advised that devotees coming to the temple should invariably be completely vaccinated for their own safety and the safety of others.
He also said that the use of sanitizer and masks will be mandatory and the temple will remain closed on Sundays for devotees as usual.
