Odisha govt directs people to wear masks

Bhubaneswar: In an effort to prevent the transmission of coronavirus, the Odisha government on Monday directed the people to wear any available form of masks while stepping out of their houses.

Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy issued an order in this regard on Monday. The order will come into effect from April 9 morning.

 “The general public is directed to cover their mouth and noses with any available form of mask while stepping out of house for any purpose. A handkerchief or any other piece of cloth in at least two layers can also be used for this purpose,” read the order.

The Odisha government said such a decision has been taken as the coronavirus can spread through air droplets.

The government also said that cloth towels (gamucha), dupattas or any other cloth can be used as masks.

“Disposable/single use masks should be properly disposed of by following due procedure prescribed by Health and Family Welfare Department. Cloth masks should be cleaned with soap/detergent/disinfectant and water and sun dried for at least 5 hours after every single use. Masks used by one person must not be used by any other person,” it said.

The district collectors and municipal authorities have been directed to implement the order and ensure prevention of crowding at any place.

Notably, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called upon the people to strictly observe ‘lockdown’ for betterment of self and society.

He also said that thousands of Police personnel have sacrificed their personal and family life in the fight against COVID-19.

The Chief Minister has directed the police to implement lockdown guidelines strictly and to show zero tolerance in case of any communal situation.