Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Friday announced complete shutdown in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Bhadrak Town, which have reported novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, for 48 hours 8 pm of Friday till 8 pm on Sunday.
Of the six tested positive for Covid-19, four are from Bhubaneswar and one each from Bhadrak and Cuttack.
Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy first announced complete shutdown of Bhubaneswar and Bhadrak Town in a press conference here and later informed about the extension of the restrictions to Cuttack in a tweet after a native who has returned from Tabligi Jamaat in Delhi tested positive for COVID-19.
“The decision was taken to prevent community transmission of COVID-19,” said Tripathy.
“In view of the fact that one resident of Cuttack has been found positive for Covid -19 Cuttack city is being included under Shut down for 48 hours from 8 PM from today till 8 PM of Sunday . We will use the time for aggressive contact tracing,” tweeted the office of the Chief Secretary.
The passes issued for various people engaged in essential services during lockdown period will not be valid during the 48-hour shutdown.
Shops of grocery items, essential commodities such as vegetable and fruit shops which were allowed to remain open during the lockdown will remain closed during the 48 hours shutdown, said Director General of Police (DGP) Abhay who was present in the press conference.
The DGP said that limited medical stores as decided by the concerned local administration will get permission to remain open.
“Patients wanting to visit hospitals will be allowed only in ambulances. Number of ambulances will be increased and private hospitals have been asked to keep their ambulances ready to deal with the situation,” he said.
The DGP warned that anyone found violating curfew rules will be picked up and put in quarantine facility of the Government for 14-days.
