Mask Mandatory: ‘Don’t Visit Puri During Rath Yatra If You Have COVID Symptoms’

Bhubaneswar: Wearing a mask is mandatory for those visiting Odisha’s Puri town to witness the Rath Yatra being held with public participation after a gap of two years, Health Services Director Biijay Mohapatra informed on Monday.

“We are expecting a large congregation during the annual sojourn of the Lords this year. Mask is mandatory in Puri during the festival. Health camps will be set up in Puri station, bus stand and Bada Danda (Grand Road),” he said.

Stating that those having symptoms should avoid visiting the Pilgrim Town, he urged people to be more cautious to check the spread of the virus.

“Health Minister will review the situation for the upcoming Rath Yatra today,” he added.

Odisha has been witnessing a rising trend with daily COVID caseload hovering around 60-70 for the last few days. A total of 69 people were found infected on Monday, which includes 26 from Khurda, 13 from Cuttack, 8 from Sundargarh and two from Puri districts.

Mohapatra said that Khurda has been reporting maximum cases. “We will be increasing testing to track down the infected,” he added.

Notably, the number of samples being tested for COVID has dropped to around 10,000 from 20,000 last month.