Dilip Kumar

News Highlights

  • The bus services are yet to come back to normalcy in the entire State while restrictions are still in force on gyms, malls and beauty parlours.
  • In view of the prevailing situation, the government may chalk out some special action plan for the Twin City while deciding on the next course of action.
  • The Test Positivity Rate (TPR) stands at 3 per cent in the State, said DMET director CBK Mohanty

Bhubaneswar: The big question haunting everyone’s mind in the State is what would happen after the partial lockdown culminates on July 16? Would Odisha go for total unlock or still keep some sensitive districts, having high test positivity, under partial lockdown?

Odisha Partial Lockdown Extension Latest Update: Know What's Allowed, What's Not

The bus services are yet to come back to normalcy in the entire State while restrictions are still in force on gyms, malls and beauty parlours.

Sources said that the Covid situation has come under control in most of the districts with a drastic dip in the daily cases. Still, some coastal regions including Puri, Cuttack and Khurdha of which State Capital Bhubaneswar is a part, are still a reason for concern. Daily positive cases in the Twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar have shown no sign of decreasing.

In view of the prevailing situation, the government may chalk out some special action plan for the Twin City while deciding on the next course of action. As per sources, religious places and educational institutions across the State may remain closed for some more time. Similarly, any kind of social, cultural and political gathering may not come under the list of relaxations.

However, reopening of mall, gymnasium, salon, spa, swimming pool and bus services might be allowed with conditions of stricter Covid protocols, sources added.

Top health officials hinted at relaxation of some restrictions, but ruled out complete unlock process.

"Some control measures need to be enforced despite relaxation of restrictions. Data from every aspect has been produced before the government with a thorough analysis. The government would take the right decision at appropriate time," said Director, Health Services, Bijay Mohapatra.

He further added that all possible measures are being taken to arrest the infection. Special attention has been given to Nuapada district which shares border with Chhattisgarh where daily cases have witnessed a marginal surge. The government is focussing on surveillance, vaccination and treatment before the possible third wave of the pandemic.

DMET Director, Dr CBK Mohanty, also echoed similar views. He said that the government would decide on the unlock process keeping the caseload and daily infection in mind. The Test Positivity Rate (TPR) stands at 3 per cent in the State, he added.

"The third wave has already hit some countries. But, it has not yet come to India. The government has maintained a close vigil on the situations on every front," Mohanty pointed out.

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