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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government announced a 60-hour complete shutdown in Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore districts from 10 PM on Thursday following a spike in COVID-19 positive cases in these districts.
"In the past 5 days, 29 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported and 28 are from Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur. We have to move to a higher level of preparedness in these districts," Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy said as he announced imposition of a complete shutdown in these three districts till 10 AM on Monday.
60-hour complete shutdown in Balasore, Bhadrak & Jajpur!
Amid rising #COVID19 cases in Balasore, Bhadrak & Jajpur, we have decided to enforce curfew-like shutdown from 10 PM today till 10 AM of April 26: #Odisha Chief Secretary #OdishaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/SyQKOLStgj
— OTV (@otvnews) April 23, 2020
In the past 5 days, 29 #COVID19 cases have been reported and 28 are from #Balasore, #Bhadrak & #Jajpur; we have to move to a higher level of preparedness in these districts; aggressive tracing & testing will be done: #Odisha Chief Secretary, Asit Tripathy#OdishaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/khSZO9ls3z
— OTV (@otvnews) April 23, 2020
Also Read: Covid-19 Outbreak: Odisha Imposes Complete Shutdown In 3 Cities To Check Community Transmission
He said it will be a curfew-like situation as no person will be allowed to come out of house during the period.
However, emergency services like selected medicine shops will be allowed. Also, goods transport passing on national highways through these districts for other districts will be allowed free movement.
While testing will be increased three times in these districts, the government will take possible measures, including contact tracing, to detect other positive cases.
Tripathy said the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases among returnees from West Bengal has become a concern.
Police personnel have been deployed in the border areas with West Bengal. Besides, sarpanches have been asked to identify those with recent travel history to the neighbouring state.
People with recent travel history should voluntarily come up failing which action will be taken against them as per the law, said Tripathy.
Porous borders with West Bengal have been reviewed by Police DG & other senior officials; 27 special platoons have been sent to these areas & if required more will be sent to seal these borders: #Odisha Chief Secretary #OdishaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/Ucxqmyfryf
— OTV (@otvnews) April 23, 2020
"We appeal to residents of Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore districts to observe Shutdown for 60 hours announced by Chief Secy. Police will be constrained to prosecute and take other legal action against those violating the shutdown," tweeted DGP Abhay.
A clarification -During shutdown goods transport passing on NH through these districts for other districts will be allowed free movement. https://t.co/0rqErrZHnm
— DGP, Odisha (@DGPOdisha) April 23, 2020
The government has appointed three Secretaries to oversee and monitor the COVID-19 situation in the three districts.
Also Read: COVID-19: Odisha To Stamp Every Person Under Quarantine
COVID-19 positive cases in Odisha have increased to 89 after six more people - four from Jajpur and two from Balasore - tested positive for the virus on Thursday, said the Information and Public Relations Department.
(With agency inputs)