Keeping in view the severity of the Covid-19 second wave, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) with the help of the Puri district administration has decided to create a bio-bubble at the Rath Khala (place for construction of chariots for Rath Yatra) here.
A bio-bubble is a secure sanitised area sealed from the outside world and only accessible by an approved set of people. The decision on adopting the bio-bubble technique was taken after eight servitors tested positive for the virus recently. The eight infected persons, three Maharana servitors and five Bhoi servitors, have been kept in isolation at a Covid Care Centre set up by the temple administration.District Collector Samarth Verma said, “The bio-bubble will keep the servitors, who are engaged in constriction of chariots, safe from Covid-19 infection as they will not come in contact with outsiders. Only those associated with the chariot construction work will be allowed to enter the bio-bubble starting today.” Inside the bio-bubble, thermal screening of the servitors would be regularly conducted and they would undergo the test frequently, he said, adding that even journalists would not be allowed to enter the area.
Earlier on Thursday, SJTA Chief Administrator Krishan Kumar had said that total 88 servitors were kept in isolation for chariot construction.
All of them underwent Covid-19 test and results of eight came out positive. The infected servitors have been sent for treatment. Currently, 80 servitors are engaged at the Rath Khala.
The construction of chariots began on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya on May 15. The annual Car Festival of Lord Jagannath and His siblings is scheduled on July 12 this year.