Bhubaneswar: After the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Odisha Government on Thursday asked all the district Collectors to enforce restrictions on entry of general public in all religious places – temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras across the State from March 20 to April 1 to check the spread of the novel Coronavirus aka COVID-19.
Odisha Government’s Spokesperson on Coronavirus outbreak Subroto Bagchi in a press conference, however, clarified that essential rituals will be continued as per schedule.
“The State Government has directed all Collectors to enforce restrictions on devotees in all religious places – temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras etc – throughout the State with effect from March 20 to April 1. Essential rituals may continue,” said Bagchi.
The State Government has ramped up preventive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 infection as one confirmed case emerged in the State capital on Sunday night.
Earlier in the day, Government also directed closure of all high end saloons, beauty parlours, spa etc must stay closed until further orders as it is not possible to maintain social distancing – maintaining distance of more than one metre between service provider and customer in such premises.