14-day lockdown in Odisha from May 5
The lockdown is primarily aimed at regulating movement of common people (Representative image)
BHUBANESWAR: Amid an exponential surge in Covid positive cases in the state, the Odisha government on Sunday announced to impose a 2-week lockdown from May 5 till 19 across the state.
Odisha reported at least 50,000 positive cases in the last one week with the average test positivity report hovering between 16% and 20% in the state and over 35% in a few western Odisha districts, bordering Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.
The Covid test positivity rate soared to an all time high at 22% on Saturday. “The situation is alarming, prompting the government to announce lockdown from May 5 till 19. We have to strictly comply with the Covid appropriate behaviours to fight Covid,” state chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said.
Mahapatra said the ongoing weekend shutdown on Saturdays and Sundays across the state would continue to remain in force.
For the convenience of people, the government has decided to allow the sale of vegetables, fish, meat, eggs and milk during the lockdown from Monday to Friday from 6am to 12pm. These shops should be closed during weekend shutdown.
The government said vaccination, Covid testing and other essential services would not be restricted during the lockdown. Hospitals, nursing homes, medicine stores and other medical-related activities would not be prohibited.
Public transport, all educational, training, coaching institutes except those allowed by the government would be shut. The government has also banned activities at all cinema halls, gyms, malls, market complexes, sports complexes, swimming pools, parks, bars, jatra, opera and open air theatres. Salon, spa and beauty parlours would remain closed during the lockdown. All religious, social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions would remain suspended during the lockdown.
Keeping in mind the Pipili bypoll on May 16, the government has decided to allow election-related works during the lockdown and weekend shutdown.
FacebookTwitterLinkedinEMail