COVID-19 Lockdown: Odisha Govt Includes Newspapers Distribution Under Essential Services

Bhubaneswar: Keeping in view the role and responsibility of the newspapers in the event of the coronavirus outbreak and the complete lockdown in Odisha, the state government has included newspapers and the distribution as an essential service.

Briefing mediapersons on Thursday, chief spokesperson on COVID-19 Subroto Bagchi said that the vehicles carrying the newsprints and newspapers will be allowed to ply without any obstruction.

He said the newspaper sale counters will operate from 7 am to 8 am and the hawkers will be allowed to move to the lifting point and for distribution of the newspapers between 4 am and 7 am. The hawkers have been advised to maintain social distancing and regularly wash hands.

The Information and Public Relations Department has issued the advisory in this regard, he added.