New COVID Restrictions In Odisha; Things To Take Care Of While Shopping, Dining From Today

Bhubaneswar: The fresh COVID guidelines with tougher restrictions came into force at 5 am on Friday.

With night curfew being extended by an hour, shops, malls and shopping complexes will remain open across the state from 5 am to 9 pm and operate with a reduced number of customers. Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed entry. At no point in time, more than four buyers will be allowed per 100 square feet of shop space.

Also Read: Odisha Has Extended It, Many States Have Imposed It But Are Night Curfews Useful?

Food courts and food plazas in malls will remain open for takeaway only. No one will be allowed to consume food on the premises. It is the responsibility of mall owners to ensure that visitors are screened for temperature, use mask properly and maintain physical distancing.

Any violation of the guidelines may lead to sealing of such shops/shopping complexes malls at least for a period of 7 days or more along with heavy penalty as decided by the local authorities, the notification issued by the office of Special Relief Commissioner said.

Haats and markets, including fish markets, will be allowed to operate but the shops should be at a minimum 30 feet distance from each other. Street and food vendors can entertain only 5 customers at one time.

Hotels, restaurants, dhabas, bars and pubs are allowed to operate with 50 per cent of seating capacity. Hotels, however, cannot host annual day celebrations and anniversary parties.

Gymnasiums, spas, beauty parlours and saloons will be allowed to operate.

Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes will operate with 50 per cent capacity and with due compliance to COVID protocols.

In public transport like buses, private vehicles and taxis (including cabs by aggregators like Ola, Uber, etc.), the conductors, drivers have to ensure that all passengers and staff put on mask during the entire period of their journey.