Puri: With all eyes set on the reopening of Puri Srimandir from the 1st of February, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) on Monday released a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in this regard.
The Chhatisha Nijog meeting was held on 28th February under the chairmanship of SJTA Chief Administrator, Krishan Kumar, to review the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for management of situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to Shree Jagannath Temple.
The meeting was attended by the Puri Collector, SP, senior officials of SJTA, Sevak Members of Shree Jagannatha Temple Managing Committee, and members of Chhatisha Nijog. In the meeting, the current COVID situation was discussed in detail and the decision was taken to open the Temple with effect from 1st February 2022 with strict adherence to the Covid guidelines, to ensure safety of the devotees and the Sevayats.
According to the revised SOP, the devotees can enter the temple for darshan of the Holy Trinity from 6 am to 9 pm on all days, when the temple is open for public darshan. However, the Temple will remain closed for public darshan on all Sundays in order to sanitize the Temple premises as a measure to contain the spread of Coronavirus disease.
All devotees will be required to bring their photo ID Card, namely, Aadhaar/Voter ID or any other photo ID card for identification, along with final certificate for COVID-19 vaccination (of having taken two doses) or COVID-19 negative certificate (RT-PCR) of testing done within 96 hours prior to their visit to the Temple.
The restriction laid down vide point number 3′ will remain in force until 17.02.2022. The same will be reviewed again before the expiry of the said date and a revised instruction, if required, will be issued keeping in view the then prevailing COVID situation, the SOP read.
Further, it is mandatory for all pilgrims to wear masks at all times; inside & outside of the Temple. People flouting the norms will be fined and may be refused entry to the temple
Devotees should sanitize their hands before entering the Temple. There should be strict enforcement, for ensuring COVID appropriate behavior by all concerned. Also, devotees should maintain physical distance at all times as per COVID-19 guidelines.
This apart, the Temple administration has set up camp for administering Precaution Dose of vaccination for Sevayats between the age group of 18 to 60 years. Efforts will be made to ensure that all eligible Sevayats are given the same in due time, keeping in view the health of the Sevayats.
