COVID-19 Lockdown In Odisha: Who Are Exempted As Essential Services Providers

The COVID-19 lockdown in force in 14 districts of Odisha prohibits congregation of more than seven persons at public places. Public transport services including operation of auto-rickshaws have been suspended.

The railway stations and bus stands have also been removed from the exempted category.

According to the Health and Family Welfare Department notification, the exception will include transport of all kinds to and from hospitals and airports.

— Food, groceries, milk, bread, fruit, vegetable, meat/fish and their transportation-related activities and warehousing

— Take away/home delivery restaurants

— Hospitals, chemist stores, optical stores, pharmaceuticals manufacturing and their transportation related activities.

— Petrol pumps, LPG gas, oil agencies, their godown and their transportation related activities.

— Production and manufacturing units which require continuous process may continue to function, after obtaining required permission from the Collector

— Manufacturing units engaged in production of  essential commodities

Private establishments (including private security) that support the above services or are linked to the efforts for containment of COVID-19 will remain open, the notification said.

Any person found violating the containment measures shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 188 of Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), it added.