Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government extended the lockdown to check COVID-19 spread for the third consecutive time on Sunday. It will now be in force till June 17.
“Though the positivity rate has dropped in the state, the danger of COVID-19 spread continues following Cyclone Yaas, which battered parts of North Odisha and north coastal Odisha last week. Therefore, the state government has decided to extend lockdown by 16 more days,” Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra insuring during a press briefing on Sunday.
People are allowed to walk to a nearby market to buy essential items from 7 am to 11 am. However, there will be a complete shutdown on the weekends from 6 pm on Friday till 5 am on Monday.
The chief secretary urged people not to venture into local markets for shopping ahead of the Raja and Savitri festival in June.
During this period, the number of attendees in wedding ceremonies has been capped at 25, including the bride, the groom and priests. The ceiling for the number of participants in thread ceremony/ funerals/ last rites has been limited to 20. Only family members can attend thread ceremony and other related rituals.
During these functions, no community feast will be organised nor any food shall be served at the venue. Guests may be allowed to take away food items in packets.
Local authorities will give permission for marriages and other events, the notification said.
Public transport by buses (intra-state and inter-state) will remain suspended till 5 am on June 17.
