Puri : All servitors and officials of various departments engaged in the Rath Yatra event in Puri will have to undergo the COVID-19 test, said vice-chairman of Jagannath Temple Managing Committee Suresh Chandra Mahapatra on Wednesday.
Briefing mediapersons after a high-level meeting, Mahapatra said that as per the order of the Supreme Court, persons who have tested negative of COVID-19 can only participate in the Rath Yatra.
Many servitors had undergone COVID-19 testing prior to attending the Rath Yatra yesterday but as one of them tested positive, a schedule has been prepared to conduct large-scale testing of the persons who will be involved in all the festivals till Niladri Bije.
Thousands of servitors, police officials and other employees of the State Government are going to be a part of the events such as Bahuda Yatra and Sunabesha therefore it should be ensured that all should be COVID-19 negative.
Servitors and persons who are directly involved with the Rath Yatra will have to undergo two rounds of testing. The first round of testing will start tomorrow and as the incubation period of the virus is around 5 to 6 days, the second round of testing will be held before the Bahuda Yatra.
Mahapatra also said that the entire area of the Pilgrim Town will be completely disinfected. Large scale isolation facilities will be developed for those who show symptoms and those who test positive of COVID-19 along with their family members.
Massive awareness campaigns will be conducted in the area along with two to three medical camps for swab collection of the servitors and other persons. A meeting in this regard will be held with the Chhatisa Nijog tomorrow, he added.