Mulugu: The District Authorities have ordered the closure of Medaram temple in Mulugu district from March 1^st to March 21^st. The authorities took the decision of closure after two Endowments Department employees tested positive for Covid-19.

Temple chief priest Siddaboina Jagga Rao said the temple will remain shut from March 1 to 21, to contain the spread of the virus. As per the sources, the decision was taken after two junior assistants of the Endowments Department contracted the virus. They were in charge of monitoring the darshans of politicians and VIPs. They had also helped the priests with the daily rituals while the Mini Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara was going on.

Temple EO Rajendram said that the authorities have begun sanitizing the temple premises. The Mini Medaram Jatara, which began on February 24, concluded on 27. However, the devotees continue to visit the temple to offer prayers as they are not aware of the incident. Therefore, the authorities are constantly making public announcements, he added.