Entire Odisha will be under lockdown from midnight: Govt

Bhubaneswar: Entire Odisha will be under lockdown from Tuesday midnight to till March 29 midnight to combat COVID-19, informed an official.

Odisha govt’s COVID19 spokesperson Subroto Bagchi said the state government has decided to lock down all its 30 districts from midnight today.

However, essential services will remain unaffected, he added.

Earlier, the state government had announced lockdown in five districts and 8 cities. Later, it was extended to 14 districts.  

Essential services such as hospitals, clinics, patholabs, medicine stores shall remain open while police, health, electricity, water supply, municipal service and agencies working for COVID-19 shall continue during the lock down period.

Banks, ATMs and the petrol pumps shall remain open during the period. Banks have been told to manage offices with 10% employees with guidance of the Collector. Banks have already been instructed to maintain enough cash in their ATMs.

Shops dealing with fruit, milk, bread, biscuits, bakery, grocery, vegetables, fish, meat will remain open. Milk booths (without tea, coffee and other beverages) shall also remain open.

It is requested that only one member of a family should go out to nearest shop in order to fetch minimum essential commodities once in a day and without a vehicle.