As the daily COVID-19 infections are on a declining trend in the State, the Odisha government may come up with more relaxations in the next two days before the expiry of the partial lockdown on July 16 (6 am).
While the Covid infection graph has waned in a majority of districts in the State, the situation still remains a cause of worry in several coastal districts, especially in Khordha, Cuttack and Puri.
All eyes are now on the next move of the State government as to whether it will lift the lockdown restrictions or continue restrictions by dividing the districts into the present Category-A and Category-B groups as per their test positivity rate (TPR).
As per reports, the TPR is below 5 per cent in 26 districts. Out of the 10 districts in Category-B, the Covid situation has improved in six to seven districts.
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It is believed that the government may come up with a new plan for the Twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as the daily positive cases in these two places are still far from satisfactory.
Educational institutions, temples and places of worship may continue to remain shut in view of the case load in the State. Social, cultural and political congregations may not be allowed from July 16.
However, reports are there that malls, parlours, spas, salons, gyms, swimming pools may be allowed to operate while adhering to some strict Covid guidelines.
Bus services, which are presently allowed only among the Category-A districts, may also be allowed across all the districts of the State.
Meanwhile, some health experts believe that the restrictions should continue in some cities like Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Balasore. They are also in favour of weekend shutdown and night curfew.
Public health director Niranjan Mishra said that a decision will be taken only after considering the case load and positivity rate. "People need to avoid gathering, especially indoor gatherings. If the guidelines are not followed, the possibilities of the third wave will increase," he said.
On the present Covid situation in the State, the Directorate of Medical Education & Training (DMET) CBK Mohanty today said that the State government should impose stricter measures to monitor the flow of people through inter-sate mobility to keep the infection rate under control in the State.
“There has been a dip in the infection rate in the State for last few days. But we shouldn’t be complacent, rather keep track of the people entering the State from other Covid ravaged States,” said Mohanty.