Bhubaneswar: Amid a mad rush that was seen at the grocery shops and vegetable vendors two days before the start of state-wide lockdown, Odisha government on Monday appealed to the citizens to refrain from panic buying as the state has adequate amount of essential food commodities.
Through a video clip, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradip Jena said all vegetable, medicine, fish and poultry shops will remain open from 6 am to 12 noon every day except during weekend shutdowns.
Shutdown will be observed on each weekend; Saturday and Sunday during which all market places, commercial establishments excluding emergency outlets like medicine shops will remain shut.
“We observed today that people are queuing up in front of grocery shops to stock up food and other items for the oncoming 14-day lockdown. There is no need for panic buying. The State has adequate amount of essential commodities stored,” he added.
“I appeal all to avoid crowding at grocery shops and vegetable vendors,’ the SRC added.
The motive of the lockdown is to check further spread of infections, he pointed out.
Public movement will not be allowed during weekend shutdowns. “In case of an emergency, if one needs to venture out, he/she should mask up properly and maintain physical distancing norm along with other COVID appropriate behavior, he added.
Commissionerate Police has also made elaborate arrangements to enforce the lockdown in the twin city. Police Commissioner Saumendra Priyadarshi appealed to the people to cooperate with police during the lockdown period.
“All the grocery shops will remain open during the lockdown period in strict adherence to the Covid-19 protocols. I appeal to the city residents not to resort to panic buying. We all have to cooperate with the government because the primary aim of imposing a lockdown is to break the chain of infection,” he added.