(Image source from: news18.com)
The lockdown in Odisha starts today, i.e., July 17 at 9pm and would be implemented till July 31 midnight.
Odisha government on Thursday announced complete lockdown in 4 districts, Khordha, Cuttack, Rourkela and Ganjam. Only essential services and workers associated with these services will be allowed for movement on roads.
This decision by the Odisha government comes after rising concern among people upon spike in coronavirus cases in the state. Odisha recorded a total of 14,280 COVID-19 positive cases and the death toll has reached to 74. The total count of active cases reach 4342 and 9864 patients have recovered from COVID-19.
During this stringent lockdown by the government, all the shops, commercial complexes, offices and institutions shall remain completely closed. Only restricted government employees and essential service workers are allowed to move outside.
On Wednesday, Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik had inaugurated the COVID-19 plasma bank for treatment of COVID-19 serious patients at SCB medical college, Cuttack. Odisha becomes the third state after Delhi and Maharashtra to start the plasma therapy bank in the country.
Though lockdown will be seriously implemented in the 4 districts, access for essentials will be permitted to people as the vegetable, groceries and dairy product stores will be allowed to operate from 6 am to 1 pm. Home delivery of these essential food items will also be permitted.
Food groceries, vegetables, egg, fish and meat come under the food items that are eligible for home delivery across the districts. They will be delivered by food aggregators like Zomato, Swiggy, Chilika fresh and OMFED.
All medical facilities including government and private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, medical stores and other facilities will be allowed to function during the lockdown and movement of ambulances and all medical personnel including doctors and paramedics are also allowed.
Air, sea and rail transport will also permitted and transiting vehicles on highways will not be stopped. E-commerce giants such as flipkart and amazon will be allowed for deliveries of essential and non-essential goods.
The state government has also ordered local police of these 4 districts to ensure effective implementation of COVID-19 measures.
Ganjam is the worst affected district of Odisha with 246 new cases reported on July 16.
By Gayatri Yellayi
