Puri: The Jagannath temple here will remain closed for devotees from January 10 to 31. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting between Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Chhatisa Nijoga on Friday evening.
Informing this Puri Collector Samarth Verma said the temple will be closed for devotees in view of the rising COVID cases in the town and across the country. However, daily rituals and special occasions will be performed by the servitors as per tradition, he added.
The decision came after several staff and servitors of the shrine tested positive for the virus earlier in the day.
COVID-related safety measures for servitors such as COVID Care Centre, ambulance, Rapid Response Team and medical checkup were also discussed at the meeting, the official said.
Further decisions for February will be taken based on the situation prevailing then, Verma added.
The district reported 54 COVID-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours while the state reported as many as 2703 fresh infections.
