Odisha relaxes COVID curbs; malls, cinema halls to reopen from August 1

By PTI
BHUBANESHWAR: With an enchancment within the COVID-19 scenario, the Odisha authorities on Saturday introduced reopening of procuring malls, parks and cinema halls amongst a number of relaxations in all of the districts, barring three cities the place coronavirus caseload is comparatively excessive.

The administration granted the relaxations for a month ranging from 6 am on Sunday, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P Ok Jena mentioned, including that the prevailing 10-hour night time curfew from 8 pm will probably be in place in all of the districts.

“The new guidelines will be enforced for a month till 6 am on September 1,” he mentioned. The SRC additionally mentioned the unlock measures is not going to be applied in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri the place the pandemic scenario is worrisome.

The weekend shutdown will stay in power within the three cities. “There has been a significant improvement in the COVID situation in 27 districts, though Khurda Cuttack and Puri are reporting more than 100 cases every day,” he mentioned.

Khurda district includes the state capital Bhubaneswar. All weekly and month-to-month markets, procuring malls and parks are allowed to reopen throughout the state from Sunday however the restrictions on social and political gatherings should not withdrawn.

Offices, each authorities and personal, are additionally permitted to operate with half the manpower, the SRC mentioned.

The state authorities requested the district administrations to resolve on the reopening of spiritual locations, besides Shree Jagannath temple in Puri and Shree Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar, he mentioned.

Malls, eating places, roadside eateries, bars, theatres and cinema halls are additionally allowed to function with 50 per cent seating capability and strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

People have been allowed to solely take away meals from eateries until Sunday and weren’t permitted to avail of eating services.

“Those who have received both doses of the COVID vaccine will be allowed to enter these facilities in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri,” he mentioned, including that authorities of procuring malls, eating places and theatres must guarantee enforcement of well being security protocols on their premises.

An official notification mentioned instructional establishments, together with teaching centres, museums, vacationer locations, zoos and archaeological monuments throughout the state will reopen with adherence to COVID protocols.

Bus operators are additionally permitted to renew companies, permitting passengers solely as much as seating capability, it mentioned.

The public transport authorities have determined to restart bus companies throughout Bhubaneswar from Monday.

Capital Region Urban Transport basic supervisor Dipti Mahapatro mentioned the ‘Mo Bus’ (My bus) companies will probably be accessible on 25 routes from 7 am to 7 pm on weekdays.

The authorities will run 194 buses, she mentioned, including that the service will proceed to stay suspended on the weekends.

Indoor or outside shootings for movies are additionally granted, Jena mentioned, including that residence supply by e-commerce firms can also be allowed.

He, nonetheless, mentioned there may be “no relaxation” in marriages and funeral capabilities. Marriages will probably be permitted with the utmost restrict of 25 company, and the variety of individuals collaborating in thread ceremonies and funerals shouldn’t exceed 20, he mentioned.

All official conferences will probably be allowed with a most of 100 contributors however the highest variety of 30 individuals will probably be permitted to participate in programmes comparable to inauguration and laying of the inspiration stone of tasks, Jena mentioned.