Devbrat Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: Ahead of the phased-reopening under Unlock-4, Odisha government today announced guidelines that will remain in force in the State from September 1 to September 30, 2020. The restrictions or relaxation in place is in pursuance of the revised guidelines issued by the Home Ministry to re-open more activities in areas outside containment zones and extend the lockdown in containment zones up to September 30 to contain further spread of the virus.

There will be no night curfew or weekend shutdown in the State, as per Central guidelines.

The following activities will continue to remain closed till September 30 in areas outside the Containment Zones throughout the State:

  • Religious places, places of worship for public
  • International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA
  • Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment complexes, theatres, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. However, open-air theatres and similar places will be permitted to open with effect from September 21, 2020, as per MHA directive.
  • Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other large congregations
  • Schools, colleges, universities, other educational/ training/ coaching institutions, anganwadis, etc will remain closed for the purpose of teaching till the end of Puja vacations in the month of October 2020.

However, conduct of examinations, evaluation and other administrative activities are permitted.

This apart, School and Mass Education Department or the Higher Education Department may permit up to 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/ tele-counselling and related work, in areas outside the Containment Zones from September 21 as per MHA standard operating procedure.

Lockdown In Containment Zones:

Local authorities shall demarcate containment zones, and in these areas, only essential activities would be allowed. There shall be strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and supply of essential goods and services. There shall be intensive contact tracing, house-to-house surveillance, and other clinical interventions, as required.

However, if required, restrictions on mobility, congregation, operation of shops and establishments, offices and other activities may be imposed in consultation with the Central Government, in order to contain the disease.

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