This story is from July 1, 2020

Odisha: Night curfew relaxed for extra two hours, weekend shutdown to continue in 10 districts

With increasing number of Covid-19 positive cases in many districts, the restrictions for the Unlock-2.0 would be almost similar to that of June (unlock 1) though the state government has relaxed the night curfew by extra two hours (from 9pm till 5am instead of 7pm to 5am) while the weekend shutdown would continue in 10 districts that have more than 50 active cases.
Odisha: Night curfew relaxed for extra two hours, weekend shutdown to continue in 10 districts
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BHUBANESWAR: With increasing number of Covid-19 positive cases in many districts, the restrictions for the Unlock-2.0 would be almost similar to that of June (unlock 1) though the state government has relaxed the night curfew by extra two hours (from 9pm till 5am instead of 7pm to 5am) while the weekend shutdown would continue in 10 districts that have more than 50 active cases.

Lockdown would continue in containment zones till July 31 where only essential services are allowed.
The state government on Tuesday issued a fresh set of guidelines on restrictions and relaxations which will be effective from Wednesday.
“Chief minister Naveen Patnaik during a meeting of all collectors and senior officers discussed the strategy for July. He has suggested nine points and also sought feedbacks from collectors. Our strategy for July is based on the suggestions made by the CM. All the departments have put their resources in managing the situation. So, it’s an all-state approach,” said chief secretary Asit Tripathy.
While most of the commercial establishments have already been allowed to function, the state government has left it to the local authorities (district collectors and municipal commissioners) for opening of shopping malls in July with appropriate restrictions.
Like the previous month, restaurants and hotels are allowed only for home delivery and takeaways of food while Dhabas along the national and state highways and major road are allowed for takeaways.

“Religious places and places of worship would continue to be prohibited for public in July. Opening of cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, theatres, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places has also been prohibited. Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions and large congregations are also not allowed,” said the chief secretary.
As the state government has earlier announced for closure of all educational institutions till July 31, it has been extended till August 31 (for teaching purposes only).
In a new strategy, the state government has identified 10 districts with more than 50 active cases as Zone-I districts, where the weekend shutdown would continue in July as well. These include Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Cuttack, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Mayurbhan, Keonjhar and Jharsuguda.
“Of total 7065 cases, large numbers of cases are from the 10 districts identified as Zone-I districts. The remaining 20 districts are identified as zone-II districts,” said Tripathy.
In June, the state government has enforced weekend shutdown in most of the costal districts and Balangir. While weekend shutdown relaxed in Puri, Nayagarhm Kendrapada, Bhadrak and Balangir, new districts-- Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jharsuguda, Gajapati—have been added to the list for weekend shutdown.
“In the Zone-I districts, the local authorities can impose restrictions on movement of intra-district public and private transport, closure of shops, establishments, government and private institutions and movement and assembly of people. Essential services identified by the state government would continue as usual,” said the chief secretary.
Stating that the state government has emphasized on continuing economic activities along with protecting public health, the chief secretary said industrial units and construction activities are allowed during weekend shutdown and night curfew as well.
Similarly, agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry, veterinary services and allied activities including procurement at mandis would continue during weekend shutdown.
While the quarantine policy will continue as usual both for rural and urban areas, the local authorities can extend the duration of quarantine of the returnees based on the situation.
With number of returnees has been reduced significantly, Tripathy said the number of quarantine centres will also be reduced. Similarly, Covid care homes would be opened in all panchayats to isolate suspected cases. Ward committees have also been formed in rural and urban areas for community surveillance.
The chief secretary said there will be zero tolerance in July against violation of wearing masks, social distancing at public and commercial places and spitting.
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