Puri: At least eight servitors engaged in the construction of chariots for the world-famous Rath Yatra in the pilgrim town have tested positive for Covid-19
Of eight infectees, three are Maharana servitors while five are Bhoi servitors, informed Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Development Administrator Ajay Jena today.
A total of 88 servitors had been kept in isolation for construction work of chariots. They underwent COVID test following which the results of eight came positive, Jena added.
In the second wave of the Covid pandemic, so far a total of 2 servitors and two family members of sevayats have succumbed to the infection.
The chariot construction work began on auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya that fell on May 15 this year.
The Collector of Puri district also visited the chariot construction place near Srimandir and asked about the vaccination of servitors as well as all facilities provided to them during the work amid COVID-19 pandemic.
