Unlock in Odisha:Govt allows opening of shopping malls, cinema hall, restaurants and parks
Jagannath temple admin to take decision on opening shrine for devotees
50 per cent dining-in allowed in restaurants; people can partake food at roadside shops
By Sukant Mohanty
Bhubaneswar, July 31: The Odisha government on Saturday announced opening of shopping malls, cinema halls, restaurants, parks and sea beaches with certain conditions as the Covid-19 situation showed some signs of improvement.
In Khurda, Puri and Cuttack where the infection rate still remains a cause of concern, the government, however, decided to continue with weekend shutdowns.
The government allowed the Jagannath Temple administration Puri and Lingaraj temple administration in Puri to take decisions on opening of the temples with strict adherence of Covid guidelines. District collectors were empowered to take decisions on reopening of the shrines in their respective jurisdictions taking account the overall Covid-19 situations.
Announcing the unlock guidelines for the month of August, state Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena said previous restrictions on holding social, political and religious activities will continue as before. Besides, no permission can be given for holding exhibitions, fairs and other ceremonies.
“As the test positive rate (TPR) has come down to 2.05 per cent in the state, the state government has decided to give certain relaxations to different sectors. However, we would appeal to all the business establishments and people to adhere to Covid-19 protocols,” the SRC said.
The fresh guidelines will remain in force from August 1 to September 1, 2021.
Restaurants were permitted to allow dining-in with 50 per cent capacity. All adults visiting restaurants, malls and cinema halls shall have to produce double-dose vaccination certificates.
The SRC Mr Jena said that out of the total 30 districts in Odisha, Covid-19 cases are almost negligible in 27 districts. However, the graph is high in districts including Puri, Khurdha and Cuttack. Despite this, the situation is not at all concerning, he said.
The night curfew will remain in force in all districts from 8 pm to 6 am. The weekend shutdown restrictions will continue in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri districts. All the shops and commercial centres across the State will remain open till 8 pm on all week days.
On Saturday, 1,578 fresh Covid positive cases were reported, taking the cumulative state tally to 9, 77,268 so far. The state also reported 68 deaths, taking the total toll in the pandemic to 5,902.
