Puri Jagannath Temple Reopens After 22 Days, Covid Protocols Must Be Followed By Devotees

This decision was made after a meeting at the Chhatisha Nijog on January 28, Puri Sub Collector Bhabataran Sahu and added that arrangements are being made accordingly.

New Delhi: The Jagannath Temple in Puri has reopened after 22 days from Tuesday morning, though devotees will not be able to do darshan on Sunday as it will be closed for sanitation. 

The authorities had shut the doors of the temple for devotees on January 10 amid a spike in Covid cases reported PTI. This directive will remain valid till February 17, following which the situation will be reviewed and a revised instruction, if required, will be issued.

This decision was made after a meeting at the Chhatisha Nijog on January 28, Puri Sub Collector Bhabataran Sahu told PTI and added that arrangements are being made accordingly. He said that since the pandemic is far from over it is important to follow Covid safety protocols strictly. 

This directive will remain valid till February 17, following which the situation will be reviewed and a revised instruction, if required, will be issued. According to the SOPs issued by the administration, devotees are required to bring their photo ID card (Aadhaar/Voter ID) for identification, along with the double vaccination certificate or Covid negative RT-PCR certificate of testing done within 96 hours prior to their visit to the temple.

It is mandatory for devotees to wear masks at all times both inside and outside the temple. Those flouting the norms will be fined and may be refused entry to the temple.

The devotees will have to sanitize their hands and must practise physical distancing according to the Covid-19 norms.