“The restriction imposed on observance of the funeral rites of the deceased belonging to other districts/states at Swargadwar, Puri as well as immersion of ashes at Mahodadhi in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the district is hereby withdrawn in view of decreasing trend of COVID-19 positive cases in the Puri district as well as Puri Municipality area,” an official order by the District Magistrate & Collector stated today.
Only non-COVID bodies (the bodies of persons, who die of other diseases) will be allowed for cremation at Swargadwar in the holy town Puri with strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols.
As per the guideline, maximum of 10 people can participate during last rites of the departed.
With the persistent decline in Covid cases in the State the administration has also allowed cremation during weekend shutdowns too.
Earlier in April, the cremation of bodies from outside the district at Swargadwar was banned following resurgence in Covid cases.
In-between , the Swargadwar was given a state-of-the-art makeover to equip it with all modern amenities required for cremation of bodies.
