Action Against Priests If Weddings Held Without Permission In Odisha’s Ganjam; Know The Other Restrictions

Berhampur: Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange on Wednesday said that the SDM will give permission for marriage with limited participants.

“FIR will be filed against priests who conduct rituals if the wedding is taking place without permission,” he warned.

On Tuesday, the Ganjam administration had announced a fine of Rs 1,000 for violation of social distancing norms by shopkeepers in the district.

An FIR will be filed if the same shopkeeper violates the social distancing norm for the second time and the shop will be closed for a month, official sources said.

Shops in the district will open from 6 am to 4 pm. There will be complete shutdown in the district thereafter and no vehicular movement will be allowed.

Food eateries will remain closed and restaurants can only take home delivery orders, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the shutdown in Berhampur was withdrawn from July 1. The lockdown, however, will remain in force.

All government offices will also remain out of bounds for public till July 10 in Ganjam.

Intra-district and inter-district public and private transport will not be allowed. Local vehicle movement only on the basis of identity card and in case of health issues, the sources further said.

There is a strict directive against public gathering in the district.

Coaching centres in Berhampur and other Urban areas in Ganjam district will remain shut, besides religious places, gardens, playgrounds and ponds.

Salons, spas, beauty parlour will be allowed to operate with prior appointments of customers only. Not more than one person will be allowed inside the shop at a time. The salons and spas have been directed to use mask and ensure sanitisation.

Banks in the district will be open from 8 am to 2 pm, the sources added.

Ganjam has so far reported 1472 COVID-19 cases and 14 deaths.