Citizen Forums Call For 7-Day Shutdown In Odisha’s Baripada Amid Rising COVID-19 Cases

Baripada: Citizen forums in Baripada have urged the district administration to impose seven-day shutdown in the city to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The city has so far reported 1,244 cases with 23 more being added to the tally in the last 24 hours. The total positive cases in Myurbhanj district is 7506.

According to sources, youth associations, business bodies, trade unions and advocates’ unions met the collector on Saturday and urged him to declare shutdown from September 27 to October 3.

“Baripada is witnessing a surge in cases. Our business association along with other public forums have decided to call for a minimum seven-day shutdown to break the chain of infection in the city,” Baripada Business Association general secretary Saroj Kumar Bose told a local news channel.

Shops selling essential commodities will, however, remain open during this period, he added.