Covid: Ahead of festive season, Odisha issues new unlock guidelines

The Odisha government on Thursday announced new Covid-19 guidelines which will be in force in the state for the month of October.

The restrictions mentioned in the guidelines for the month of September will remain in force till November 1.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), PK Jena said that night curfew restrictions in urban areas will continue from 10 pm to 5 am.

Special night curfew restrictions have been clamped in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar in view of Durga Puja and other festivals. The night curfew restrictions in the twin cities will apply from 8 pm to 5 am (instead of 10 pm to 5 am) from October 11 to October 20.

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All markets and other commercial establishments will be allowed to operate till 8 pm daily during this period in the twin cities.

The Covid situation in the state has improved in the recent weeks. Covid cases in Odisha on Thursday reached 10,26,476 as 602 people tested positive for the virus. Six fatalities pushed the coronavirus death toll to 8,198.

“We have decided to comply with the Centre’s advice,” Jena said.

“In coming weeks, if people in the country and state follow Covid appropriate behaviour and protocols including wearing of masks, social distancing and hand hygiene, we can win this war against Covid-19,” he said.

A preparatory meeting for peaceful celebration of Durga Puja was also held on Thursday in Cuttack. The Puja committees discussed the situation with the police under the chairmanship of Saumyendra Priyadarshi (commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack), and have agreed to abide by the Covid norms.