Puri: The swab test to detect COVID-19 among sevayats (servitors) of Jagannath Temple, here will be conducted from Wednesday.
In response to a request of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) for the test, the Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Puri has stated in a letter that the swab test of servitors, office employees and outsourced staff will be conducted from January 27.
The SJTA has informed office bearers of all Nijogs (servitor bodies) of the temple that the test will be carried out at Utkal Hindi Vidyapith on Grand Road in the town. Maximum to 50 tests will be conducted per day.
The SJTA has also requested the Health and Family Welfare Department for vaccination of the servitors and their families after the devotees were allowed to enter the temple without COVID-19 negative certificate. The administration apprehends that they may contract the disease from the people coming for ‘darshan’ of the deities.