Odisha Unlock Guidelines For December, Night Curfew To Continue

Odisha government on Tuesday extended the graded unlocking measures under the new guidelines issued for the month of December 2021.

As per the notification issued by the Special Relief Commissioner, the restrictions mentioned in the guidelines will remain in force from 5 AM of December 1 till 5 AM of January 1, 2022.

Meanwhile, 'Night curfew' will continue in all urban areas of the State from 10 PM to 5 AM every day. Similarly, there will be no weekend shutdown in Odisha.

During the unlock period, all types of shops, malls can remain open across the State from 5 AM to 10 PM every day. However, all social, religious and political gatherings along with exhibitions, trade fairs, expos and melas will remain prohibited.

"Cultural gatherings/ programmes including melodies, orchestra/ jatra/ opera, dances-classical, folk and other permitted dance forms, cultural competitions, open air theatres/ drama/ nukkad natak/ street plays/ other such performances, etc shall be allowed to open with due compliance to covid protocols," read the notification.

- Congregation in public places including hotels, restaurants, clubs, parks, convention halls and Kalyan Mandaps for Zero Night Celebration/ Welcome to New Year and similar other functions on December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022 shall remain prohibited throughout the State.

December Unlock Details:

- Auditoriums/ assembly halls/ similar facilities shall be allowed to open with due compliance to covid protocols. 

- Open Air Theatres/ Jatras /Operas shall be permitted by the local authorities subject to compliance of COVID-19 safety protocols and keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, appropriate number of persons (subject to a ceiling of 2000 persons).

- For indoor halls, the numbers of viewers/ spectators shall not exceed 50% of the seating capacity of the hall.  

- Cinema halls, theatres shall be allowed to open with up to 50% of capacity and operate with due compliance to covid protocols. 

- In closed places, the number of persons including the invitees shall not exceed 50% of the hall capacity. 

- Marriages, thread Ceremony/ Bratopanayan, funerals, last rites and related gatherings with approval from local authorities shall be allowed with a ceiling of 250 persons (for the entire event) including hosts, guests, priests and catering and other support staff with adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols and other conditions.