The Odisha Government, to fight against the second ragging wave of Covid-19, has extended the lockdown for two more weeks. According to the directive given by the Government, the lockdown will be implemented in the entire state, starting from May 19th, and will end at 5 am on June 1st.
Additional information was provided regarding a complete shutdown on weekends, which would start at 6 pm on Fridays and would last till 5 am on Monday.
According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Odisha, at present, has a total of 92,293 active Covid-19 cases. Out of this, 1,086 cases were freshly added to the figure in the last 24 hours. 22 Covid related deaths were also recorded for the given period.
Let us look at the restrictions imposed by the Odisha Government for the lockdown
- Essentials can be bought by the people from their nearby markets, between 6 am and 11 am.
- Health-related services will continue to function as normal.
- Street corners/roadside shops/stand-alone shops dealing with foods and essential items will remain open on weekdays but only from 7 am to 11 am. Directions have also been given to maintaining a distance of 30 feet from shop to shop.
- Weekly and Daily Haats have been prohibited.
- Restaurants and dhabas can operate but only to provide takeouts and home delivery.
- The number of wedding attendees has been further reduced from 50 to 25. This number includes the bride, groom, and the priests.
- People are not allowed to take part in any sort of feasts and may opt for takeaway food packets
- Permission for marriages and other events needs to be taken from the local authorities.
- The maximum limit for the number of participants in a thread ceremony/funeral/last rites is set as 20.
- Inter and Intra state bus services have been suspended.
The State Government had announced a 14-day complete lockdown with effect from May 19.