Puri: The RT-PCR test of sevayats, who will participate in the ensuing Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and sibling deities in Puri, will begin from Thursday.
Talking to the media on Wednesday, Puri Collector Samarth Verma said that these sevayats have been requested to undergo the test.
The state government has made vaccination mandatory for sevayats, participating in Rath Yatra, and therefore, those who have taken the first dose have been requested to take the second dose without delay, he said.
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Stating that the district administration has set up COVID testing and vaccination centres exclusively for the sevayat, Verma requested them to undergo the test and take the second dose at these centres.
“The guidelines state that only fully vaccinated sevayats having an RT-PCR negative report will be allowed to participate in the Rath Yatra,” the collector pointed out.