Bhubaneswar, April 18: In view of detection of substantial number of COVID-19 positive cases among the servitors of Lord Shree Lingaraj Temple, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) today restricted public entry to the temple until further order.

An order in this effect was today issued by the BMC. As per the order, the temple administration has been asked to ensure that the temple is opened for usual rituals to be conducted by the servitors.

“60 servitors were tested yesterday, out of which four have been tested positive. Samples of 185 more servitors were collected today,” said an official.

Earlier the civic body has also decided to conduct the Rukuna Rath Yatra of Lord Lingaraj without devotees’ participation.