Devotees Throng Jagannath Temple As Darshan Without Covid Nagative Report Begins In Odisha’s Puri

Puri: Chants of Jai Jagannath rented the air as people, young and old, made a beeline to the temple here on Thursday after the administration allowed entry of devotees into the shrine without a COVID-19 negative report.

As per the standard operating procedures and COVID-19 protocols, only those wearing a mask are allowed inside the temple after thermal scanning and registration at the designated point. For the elderly and disabled persons a separate queue has been made.

Puri Collector Samarth Verma said the arrangements have been made as per the decision taken at the meetings. “The COVID negative report is not necessary but we are strictly ensuring that COVID protocols like wearing mask, use of hand sanitiser and social distancing are followed,” he said.

As decided earlier, the residents of Puri town were allowed darshan from 6 am to 7 am and after that devotees from outside were allowed.  The administration is expecting around 7000 devotees will visit the temple, he said.

Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh said a feedback and single widow cells of police have been opened at the Uttar Dwar (north gate).

Around 6 platoons of police force have been deployed inside the temple and 20 platoons are on duty on the Bada Danda (Grand Road). Separate arrangements have been made for traffic regulation, he said.

Assistant Commandant and Additional SP are in charge of maintaining inner and outer police coordination, Kanwar said and added that police force is fully alert to ensure that the devotees have a peaceful darshan of the Trinity.