Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has banned ‘zero night’ celebrations on December 31 and January 1 in the state as part of COVID-19 measures.
Congregations in hotels, restaurants, clubs and parks have also been prohibited, according to guidelines issued by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC)’s office late Tuesday.
But, continuing with unlockdown measures, the state government said that shops and malls will remain open across the state from 5 am to 10 pm every day.
Night curfew will, however, be imposed in urban areas from 10 pm to 5 am.
It further said that there will be graded unlocking throughout the state from 5 am starting December 1 till 5 am of January 1. There will be no weekend shutdown across the state, the guidelines said.
Cultural gatherings, melodies, orchestra, jatra and open air theatres have been allowed with strict compliance to COVID protocols. According to the guidelines, the number of people in indoor halls should not exceed 50 per cent of the seating capacity.
Similarly, cinema halls and theatres can function at 50 per cent capacity in compliance with COVID protocols.
Likewise, marriages, thread ceremony, funerals and other gatherings will be allowed with a ceiling of 250 people.
