Sharmili Mallick

Bhubaneswar: After remaining shut for almost two months due to Covid-19 lockdown, major parks in Bhubaneswar were thrown open to public from today following easing of some restrictions by the State government.

As per reports, four parks including Buddha Jayanti Park, Madhusudan Das Park, IG Park and Forest Park in the capital city have been opened for visitors on an experimental basis with certain mandatory rules and restrictions in timings.

The parks will remain open from 7 am to 10 am in the morning and 4 pm to 6 pm in the evening. Similarly, people visiting the parks have been advised to mandatorily use masks and maintain social distancing on the park premises, informed the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA).

The development authority has banned spitting and use of open-air gym equipment on the park premises by the visitors. The joggers have also been asked to maintain at least two metres distance from each other, added the BDA.

“The major parks have been opened in Bhubaneswar on an experimental basis from today. In the coming days, other parks will also be opened,” said BDA Horticulture Chief, AN Dhar.

Meanwhile, city residents expressed happiness over reopening of the parks. “The parks have opened after two months. During the lockdown, I was jogging near my house and now as the parks have reopened, I can resume my morning walk here. I am happy and will adhere to the safety guidelines strictly,” said a morning walker at IG Park.

“Although there is footfall of lesser number of people in the park today, more visitors will come for walk in the coming days. We will maintain social distancing and use masks while exercising,” added another visitor.

Worth mentioning here that the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown was extended for the fourth time on May 17 to May 31. With the extension of the lockdown, movement of individuals has been strictly prohibited between 7 pm to 7 am, except for essential activities.

Meanwhile, the total coronavirus cases in Odisha climbed to 1336 with detection of 67 new cases on Sunday. The active cases in the State now stood at 832 with 497 recoveries and seven deaths.

(Edited By- Ramakanta Biswas)

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