IF Bureau
Although it is slowly but surely winning in its long-running battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, the Naveen Patnaik administration is showing no signs of complacency and leaving nothing to chance. This is evident in the unlock guidelines the Odisha government has laid out for implementation until the end of February this year.
As per the notification issued by the Special Relief Commissioner’s office today, large gatherings and congregations will still be prohibited, although social, cultural, religious, political, sports, entertainment and academic functions will be allowed under certain conditions.
At any event, and under no circumstances, a gathering exceeding 500 people will be legally permissible.
In enclosed spaces, no more than half of the hall’s official capacity will be acceptable, and in open spaces, depending on the size of the area, appropriate numbers shall be allowed – all subject to the 500-person limit – to ensure proper adherence to social distancing rules.
Those organising such events must also ensure adherence to other important pandemic protocol such as wearing of masks, thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer. And they must get the official permission for their functions/ gatherings from their respective district magistrates, municipal commissioners, or other authorised officers.
All the above permissions are applicable, of course, for areas that fall outside designated containment zones. Local authorities have been directed to meticulously demarcate all containment zones in keeping with the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and share all pertinent information and updates with the ministry.
They have been instructed to continue raising awareness about Covid-19 appropriate conduct among their respective communities. District magistrates and municipal commissioners have been given the powers to allow public worship at places of worship based on their assessment of prevailing situation in their areas, after consulting diligently with relevant stakeholders and with imposition of appropriate Covid-19 safety restrictions.
While continuing to permit and encourage online and distance learning, the state government has also allowed the reopening of schools and colleges as well as Anganwadi Centres from the start of February.
Thanks to the Chief Minister’s approach of erring on the side of caution, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack – the two biggest and most densely populated cities of Odisha, with a combined population of around 15 lakh – are practically free of Covid-19, with just three positive cases reported since yesterday.
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