IF Desk
The Government of Odisha has decided to continue partial lockdown of the state till the end of this month, although with reduced restrictions.
Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra told the press earlier today that the decision to retain lockdown restrictions was taken in view of the number of daily cases and deaths that the state is still seeing in the ongoing pandemic.
Coming into force from 6am tomorrow (July 16), the new guidelines will allow shops and businesses in Category A districts – Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Kalahandi, Balangir, Nuapada, Sonepur, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Boudh, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Angul, Dhenkanal and Keonjhar – to remain open from to 6 in the morning till 8 in the evening.
And for Category B districts – Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Mayurbhanj and Nayagarh – they will now be allowed to operate from 6 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, instead of the current 6am-to-2pm period that has been permitted so far this month.
In a welcome relief for many, gyms, parlours, spas and salons will finally be allowed to reopen and bus, taxi and auto rickshaw services will resume across the state as well, although they must adhere to all safety guidelines pertaining to their respective businesses.
However, educational institutions, cinema halls, malls, parks, will remain closed and exhibitions and jatras (festivals) prohibited.
Also, weekend shutdowns will continue to be in effect from 5pm on Fridays until 6am on Mondays in Category B districts only, and night curfews will continue to be in force across Odisha.
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