The Puri district administration on Saturday lifted the restriction on cremation of bodies from outside at the Swargadwar crematorium in the pilgrim town.

The order will come into effect from Monday. However, only the bodies of persons who died of diseases other than Covid-19 and other causes will be allowed to be cremated at Swargadwar with adherence to coronavirus guidelines.

“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as well as immersion of ashes at Mohodadhi (sea) in order to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the district is hereby withdrawn in view of decreasing trend of Covid-19 positive cases in the Puri district as well as Puri Municipality areas,” said an order issued by the Puri collector.

According to the order, a maximum of 10 people will be allowed to accompany the body to Swargadwar for cremation.

The administration had imposed the restriction on April 25 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Only those from Puri were allowed to cremate their dead at Swargadwar which has religious significance as people believe that performance of last rites at the crematorium opens the gateway to heaven.