Puri: The district administration on Thursday has appealed to women devotees not to visit the pilgrim town for observing ‘Kartik Brata’ in view of COVID-19 situation.
Every year during the holy month of Kartik, a large number of pilgrims, particularly widows and women, from all over the state visit Puri to observe ‘Kartika Brata’. They remain on partial fast the entire month.
Puri Sub-Collector, Bhabataran Sahu said no special arrangement in the form of camps has been made for the devotees in the town for ‘Kartik Brata’ this year due to the pandemic. Besides, since they are mostly elderly people and most vulnerable to the disease, they should take extra care and follow the COVID-19 norms, he added.
Stating that their chances of contracting the disease high as COVID-19 cases are rising in Puri, he said the devotees should avoid visiting Puri and observe the Brata at homes.
Out of a total of 12,404 confirmed positive cases in Puri district, the Puri Municipality has 31 per cent cases (3851).