Puri : Keeping with the order of the Supreme Court, testing of sevayats (servitors) of Shree Jagannath Temple for COVID-19 began here today.
Testing of sevayats from the Suara Mahasuara Nijog, Puspalaka Nijog and Biman Badu Nijog is underway at Utkal Hindi Vidyapeeth, Bagadia Dharmashala and Markandeswar Sahi Girls’ High School.
Sources in the know of things have said that 5,000 persons who had taken part in the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will be tested for COVID-19.
As many as 2,500 sevayats will be tested twice for COVID-19.
Apart from sevayats, policemen, sanitation workers, officials of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will be tested for COVID-19.
It is targeted to complete the testing process before the chariots take ‘Dakshin Moda’ on June 28.
All those who test negative will be allowed to take part in the Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha and Niladri Bije rituals of Lord Jagannath.