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.
ALSO READ: Punjab DGP warns against spreading misinformation on COVID-19
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.
-
To keep #COVID19 at bay, Hon'ble CM Sri @Naveen_Odisha instructed to lock down 40% of #Odisha including BBSR for a week. Airport, Railways, Bus Stand & other essential services are exempted from this.
— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) March 21, 2020 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="
This includes Khurdha, Ganjam, Cuttack, Kendrapada & Angul Dists and 8 towns. pic.twitter.com/nWxmxRj68p
">To keep #COVID19 at bay, Hon'ble CM Sri @Naveen_Odisha instructed to lock down 40% of #Odisha including BBSR for a week. Airport, Railways, Bus Stand & other essential services are exempted from this.
— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) March 21, 2020
This includes Khurdha, Ganjam, Cuttack, Kendrapada & Angul Dists and 8 towns. pic.twitter.com/nWxmxRj68pTo keep #COVID19 at bay, Hon'ble CM Sri @Naveen_Odisha instructed to lock down 40% of #Odisha including BBSR for a week. Airport, Railways, Bus Stand & other essential services are exempted from this.
— I & PR Department, Odisha (@IPR_Odisha) March 21, 2020
This includes Khurdha, Ganjam, Cuttack, Kendrapada & Angul Dists and 8 towns. pic.twitter.com/nWxmxRj68p
"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.
ALSO READ: Minute precautions can save lives: PM Modi tweets video on COVID-19
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.
