Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday extended the lockdown for another two weeks till 5 AM of June 1 next to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state.
Chief Secretary S C Mohapata said the lockdown would be effective from May 19, 2021 to 5 AM of June 1. The lockdown, he said, is primarily aimed at restricting the movement of the people.
However, movement of goods and good carriers would not be affected during the lockdown.
He said there would also be a complete shutdown on weekends starting from 6 PM on Fridays till 5 AM on Mondays in the state.
Earlier on May 5 last the state government had imposed a two-week lock down till 5 AM of May 19 besides the weekend shutdown.
Mr Mohapatra said the marriage function would be permitted with approval from local authority with not more than 25 persons and in case of thread ceremony and funerals the number of participating persons would not be more than 20 persons.
He said in case of these functions no community feasts would be organized and no food would be served in the venue adding that only take away food would be allowed to the guests.
All health services will remain functional during the lockdown and shutdown. Buses for public transport have been prohibited so also the interstate movement of the individuals by road except for medical reasons or activities permitted under the guidelines.
He said during the period the vaccination subject to the availability would be continued in places as notified by the Health and family Welfare department.
All government offices, private offices, banks and other commercial institutions would function with reduced staff.
In another major decision, the government curtailed the relaxation time for marketing from six hours to four hours from Monday to Friday.
The Chief Secretary said street corner shops, all stand-alone shops dealing with food and essential items, vegetables, fish, meat and eggs would be allowed to operate from 7 AM to 11 AM and the shops would maintain a minimum 30 feet distance from shop to shop.
The government has prohibited the weekly and daily haat across the state during the lockdown and shutdown period. (UNI)