BMC reserves special hours for senior citizens in parks
Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) will keep all parks closed during the complete shutdown on weekends in 11 districts all through June.
The weekend shutdown (Saturday and Sunday) in Bhubaneswar is part of the government’s measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in the wake of the return of thousands of Odia migrant labourers. The 11 districts include Khurda under which falls the capital city.
Meanwhile, the civic body has decided to reserve visiting hours exclusively for senior citizens in the parks. BMC officials said they have kept 5am to 7am exclusively for the elderly, who won’t be allowed inside the parks beyond the stipulated time. “The others can visit the parks, which will remain open five days a week, from 7am to 10am and 4pm to 6pm,” BMC commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhury said.
Chaudhury said the separate slot for the elderly (above 60 years) has been kept for two purposes. “Firstly, the footfall in the park at any given time will be less. Second, the elderly, who are considered vulnerable to the virus, won’t be in proximity to others,” he explained.
On May 24, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and BMC opened the city parks after getting the approval from the government. The parks had been closed since the lockdown on March 24.
Senior citizen groups of the city, however, are apprehensive about the enforcement of the rule. “Who will prevent the people of other age groups if they want to enter the parks during the time designated for the elderly? It can also be difficult to identify senior citizens from their look,” Krupasindhu Sahu, president of the federation of senior citizens association (Odisha), said.
Officials said social distancing norms would be ensured during the opening hours of the parks. “Those without a mask will be taken to task. The open air gym and other exercise equipment will remain out of bound for the people,” an official said.