Bhubaneswar: To contain the spread of COVID, the Odisha government has decided to continue will weekend shut in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri with a high caseload.
In these cities, shop opening timing has been extended till 8 pm, following which night curfew will remain in force till 6 the following morning. It is the same for the entire Odisha.
What comes as a piece of good news is that shopping malls, cinema halls, operas, jatra and open-air theatre have been allowed to reopen with half of their audience capacity.
Restaurants, bars and dhabas will also resume business with 50 per cent seating capacity.
However, people above 18 years visiting these establishments in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri will have to produce fully vaccinated certificates.
Similarly, daily and weekly markets will be opened with strict adherence to COVID guidelines.
The restriction on the opening of parks has also been eased.
The city denizens can now travel to places with sea beaches as these will be allowed to reopen for the public.
Wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and use of hand sanitiser is, however, mandatory.
The ceiling of 25 guests for weddings and 20 for funerals and thread ceremonies will continue.
District collectors and municipal commissioners are authorised to take a call on the opening of religious institutions depending on the local situation.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and Lingaraj Temple Administration will take a decision on opening Jagannath temple, Puri, and Lingaraj temple, Bhubaneswar, respectively in consultation with the stakeholders. Offering prasad in the temple, however, is prohibited.
