Has Odisha Done Away With Mandatory Mask-Wearing Norm? Know What Senior Health Official Has To Say

Bhubaneswar: With people shunning precautionary measures amid a downward slide in COVID cases in Odisha, Health Services Director Bijay Mohapatra on Tuesday reiterated that the state is yet to lift the mandatory mask-wearing norm.

“Everyone is still required to wear masks, especially in crowded areas,” he said.

Although the recent surge in infections in the National Capital Region (NCR) has set alarm bells ringing, Mohapatra said that the daily caseload in Odisha has been hovering around 10-20. “The situation in Delhi and other states may be concerning but in Odisha, it is stable right now. The district collectors have been asked to implement new strategies as per requirements. The downward trend will continue if people abide by the COVID norms,” he said.

He further said that the current trend cannot be termed the fourth wave of COVID. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that there is no clarity on the recent surge, transmissibility and severity as of now. Two days back, the IIT model termed the recent rise in cases as sporadic and may not precipitate a fourth wave,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that Delhi and Mumbai had announced complete relaxation of COVID norms and done away with the penalty for not wearing the mask in public places in view of the steady decline in the pandemic situation, notwithstanding the fresh surge being witnessed in China.

Though an official circular revoking the norm is yet to be issued in Odisha, enforcement has taken a back seat and people can be seen attending social gatherings without masks these days. The use of hand sanitiser has also decreased significantly in clubs, restaurants, offices and other public places. With a chunk of the population vaccinated against COVID, maintaining social distancing has also gone for a toss across the state.

Experts, however, stressed extra caution with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting about a new variant of COVID in some countries and advised people to at least put on a mask while at crowded places or going to hospitals, and markets.