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Bhubaneswar: With social distancing the top priority in the ongoing fight against Coronavirus, Odisha government on Friday ordered another phase of lockdown in the larger interest of the people in the State.
As per the advisory issued by the General Administration & Public Grievance Department, all the stand-alone restaurants, bars, coffee shops, canteens, eateries of all kinds where large number of people dine and congregate will be closed immediately until further orders.
All the hotels have been directed to maintain a social distance of 2 meters among the guests in their in-house restaurants. The hotels and restaurant owners have been advised to encourage customers/ guests for takeaways.
#OdishaFightsCorona: #Odisha orders shutdown of all standalone restaurants, bars, coffee shops, canteens, eateries of all kinds where large number of people dine and congregate #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/zMfo93sVOP
— OTV (@otvnews) March 20, 2020
The advisory further directed authorities to ensure that all markets, shopping complexes, village haats operate in a regulated manner so that sale of food items including groceries, vegetables, meat, chicken, fish, eggs and other essential commodities are not affected.
Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: Odisha Urges RBI To Ensure Cash Availability In Banks, ATMs
However, no congregation of more than seven people will be allowed at any place. As a preventive measure, the General Administration and Public Grievance department has also taken other steps to contain the spread of COVID-19. The department has decided not to allow meetings in government offices other than those related to COVID-19 or regarding maintenance of basic services. However, in such meetings 2-meter distance will be strictly followed. The department has asked authorities to conduct meetings through video conferencing wherever possible.
The State Cabinet and Empowered Group of Ministers’ Meeting shall also be held through video conferencing.
Moreover, all the official functions including commemoration and garlanding of statues have been suspended across Odisha until further orders.
In a letter to all Municipal Commissioners and executive officer of municipalities, the Housing and Urban Development department has directed to convene special ward-level meetings on March 21, 2020.
The concerned authorities have been asked to discuss and disseminate information related to COVID-19.