Lockdown Extended: Odisha CM Says Saving Lives Top Priority, Thanks People For Support & Sacrifice

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Cabinet on Thursday decided to extend the lockdown in the state till April 30.

“Saving the lives of our people is the top-most priority at this juncture and the state government has decided to extend the lockdown till April 30. We will recommend to the Centre to extend the national lockdown up to April 30,” the Chief Minister said in a video message.

The Cabinet has also approved the proposal to close educational institutions till June 17, the CM informed after conducting the Cabinet meeting via video conferencing at Naveen Niwas.

He also said that the state government will request the Centre not to start airline and railway services till April 30 as a safety measure.

Referring to the people from Odisha who are stranded in various parts of the country, he said that the intervention of his government for their well-being will be done through the state governments. concerned.

Stating that food security of the people is a major priority of the state government, the CM said that activities related to agriculture, animal husbandry and MGNREGS will be facilitated during the lockdown period following social distancing norms.

To ensure seamless supply of essential items to the people during the lockdown period, he said there will not be any problem in the transport of goods within and from outside Odisha.

To expedite the number of COVID-19 testing and treatment facilities, the CM said the state government has proposed to do one lakh rapid testing at the earliest possible time to identify the patients.

He thanked the doctors from all over the country who have volunteered to offer their services in telemedicine.

The CM also thanked the people for all the support and cooperation. “Your discipline and sacrifice have helped the state immensely. Each one of you has been extending in this serious crisis situation. I know that it involves a lot of sacrifices, hardship and uncertainty. But this is the only way to face this crisis,” he pointed out.

He also appealed the people to come forward put up a brave fight against the coronavirus. “Coronavirus is the biggest threat that the human race has faced in more than a century. Life will not be the same ever. All of us must understand this and face it boldly together. With our sacrifice and with the blessings of the Lord Jagannath, this too shall pass,” he said.