Coronavirus Lockdown: Odisha Aahaar Centres To Remain Closed Till March 29

Bhubaneswar: Extending restrictions as part of the lockdown measures enforced to contain the spread of coronavirus, Odisha Government on Tuesday ordered closure of all Aahaar Centres, except the ones operating in and around hospital premises, till March 29, 2020.

The Aahaar scheme is a subsidised food programme of the government. The actual cost of the Dalma-rice meal is around Rs 20, while people pay only Rs 5 for it. The state government extends Rs 15 as subsidy per plate.

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To regulate the services at Aahaar Centres during the COVID-19 lockdown, Additional Secretary to government and director of Municipal Administration Sangramjit Nayak today shot a letter to all Collectors, who are presidents of district Aahaar societies, and Municipal Commissioners of Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela and asked them to take immediate action for temporary closure of Aahaar centres till March 29.

She, however, clarified that all the Aahaar centres in and around hospital premises will continue to function as usual.

#OdishaFightsCorona: Aahaar Kendras to remain closed except the ones operating in/near hospital premises till March 29 across #Odisha #LockdownInOdisha pic.twitter.com/ZXTGh9Q1iv

— OTV (@otvnews) March 24, 2020

The decision was taken after Odisha government today announced a lockdown in the territorial jurisdiction of all districts till March 29 (9 PM) in view of prevention and containment of the deadly COVID-19.

As a precautionary measure, the State government has also extended the closure of Anganwadi centres till April 30. Special instructions have also been issued for Anganwadi workers to maintain the existing norms for hygiene, use of masks, gloves, sanitisers besides regular hand washing.

It is pertinent to mention here that all the 30 districts of Odisha will go under complete lockdown from midnight today in view of the outbreak of novel-Coronavirus.

Chief Secretary in a video conference with all Collectors today instructed to take immediate necessary measures to ensure lockdown.

Also Read: Odisha Fights Coronavirus: Anganwadi Centres To Remain Closed Till April 30

Essential services such as hospitals, clinics, patholabs, medicine stores, banks, ATMs, petrol pumps, shops with essential commodities shall remain open while police, health, electricity, water supply, municipal service and agencies working for COVID-19 shall continue during the lockdown period.