Odisha Government on Sunday extended the graded unlocking measures throughout the State under the new guidelines issued for the month of November 2021.
As per a notification issued by the Special Relief Commissioner, there shall be a graded unlocking throughout the State with effect from 5 AM of November 1 till 5 AM of December 1, 2021.
Night curfew shall be imposed in all urban areas of the State from 10 PM to 5 AM every day. Similarly, there will be no weekend shutdown in Odisha, the notification read.
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"During the unlock period, all types of shops, malls can remain open across the State from 5 AM to 10 PM every day. All religious festivals/festivities/functions shall be held/celebrated as per the orders of the government issued on August 9, 2021," the notification read.
The guidelines/stipulations relating to the sale and use of firecrackers during the month of November shall be issued separately.
The State government has clarified that all other stipulations/instructions contained in the order dated August 31, 2021 shall remain unaltered.
Earlier, the Health Ministry had issued separate guidelines in view of the festive season. “This is a critical period as there may be a tendency to ignore Covid safe behaviour during festivals, resulting in large gatherings, events and fairs. It is critical to enforce adhereance to guidelines to allow festivities in a cautious, safe and Covid appropriate manner. Any laxity in implementation of Covid appropriate behaviour could lead to serious consequences and result in surge in cases,” the order read.
In its latest guidelines for the month of November, the State government has stated that considering local conditions, district Magistrates, Municipal Commissioners, Police Commissioner of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar may impose appropriate restrictions on entry of devotees into churches, temples, mosques , places of worship and in celebrations in churches, temples and mosques and other religious places of worship.
The Collectors, Municipal Commissioners may decide the number of persons to attend any such religious ritual/festival/puja in their respective jurisdictions with strict adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour and norms, the guidelines said.