Coronavirus: Odisha CM orders lockdown in the state till March 29

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced to lockdown 13 places across the state as a preventive measure to contain COVID-19 pandemic. In the wake of coronavirus threat, the Government has decided to lock down five districts and other prominent cities from March 22 to March 29, 2020.

Bhubaneswar: In view of the rapid spread of novel coronavirus in the country, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday announced to lockdown 13 places across the state till March 29.

As per the direction issued by Odisha CM, Khurda, Ganjam, Cuttack, Kendrapara, Angul, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Balasore, Bhadrak, Puri, Jajpur Road, Jajpur Town, Rourkela will be shut from 7.00 am on March 22 till 9.00 pm on March 29 as a preventive measure to contain COVID-19 pandemic.

"The case numbers are rising in India. We have a very small window to take pre-emptive action. There is no cure for this virus. The only cure is prevention. It is only if you go out of your home that you may bring the virus to your home and your neighbourhood," Odisha CM instructed in a video, released by Information & Public Relations Department of Odisha.

Hospitals, clinics, medical shops, grocery shops, restaurants (only takeaways and home deliveries) vegetables, meat and milk shops/bread and bakery (but the selling of tea and other beverages in the same premises have to be closed), Railways, bus stands and airports will be open as well as public transport.

The administrative functions, police, health, fire, electricity, water, municipal services, banks, ATMs, petrol pumps shall remain open along with private establishments that support the above services or are linked to the fight against coronavirus.

In the five districts and eight towns, all distribution of benefits such as pension and PDS are postponed for the time being. Private companies will be advised to encourage work from home.

All service providers, including private sector engaged in tackling the COVID-19 crisis, will be declared as Emergency Workers.

"Let us take care of people who have worked for us for long years and pay them their wages for this time even though their services are discontinued temporarily. These are extraordinary times, all have to pitch in. The police cannot enforce this everywhere. All have to see it as their responsibility to protect our lives," said the Chief Minister.

"The 4.5 crore people of Odisha are my family and I am concerned about the wellbeing of each one of you," said Patnaik.

Taking all necessary measures to contain the spread of the deadly Novel Coronavirus, Patnaik has also urged people of Odisha to stay at home and come out only for basic services.

Notably, the State government has till now shut schools, hostels, shopping malls where the spread of the virus is more. Odisha government also ordered immediate closure of all liquor shops until further orders.