Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday evening stressed that June was the most important period in Odisha’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and exhorted the people of the state to practise ‘self-lockdown’ irrespective of the government-imposed lockdown or shutdown.
In a televised address, the Chief Minister warned the people against exposing themselves to the outside world and advised them to stay indoors as much as possible especially with the monsoon expected to arrive in the state on June 10. “At present, five lakh Odia brethren (migrants) are returning home. The consequent impact will come down in 15 to 20 days. We are getting information that the onset of monsoon will begin from June 10. Cold, cough and fever are primarily seen during this period. Because of these two reasons, I have repeatedly been saying that the next 25 days are most important,” he said.
“How we manage this period is vital to determine our success in the battle against coronavirus. Hence, June will prove decisive,” he added, pointing out that COVID-19 outbreak was currently at its peak in the country.
As against an average 3000 corona positive cases a day 15 days ago, India is now registering about 10,000 cases daily. “This has created a major challenge for all of us. Therefore, I am requesting everyone not to step out of their homes unless there is some urgent work,” he emphasised.
Naveen said due to the weekend shutdown in 11 districts and night curfew from 7 pm to 5 am, people will be forced to completely stay indoors for 17 days in June, thereby reducing the possibility of spread of the disease. He further noted that the war against corona would be long drawn and there is no vaccine or medicine against the dreaded infection.
Urging the people to strictly adhere to social distancing norms and other measures like hand sanitisation to break the corona chain, Naveen said both life and livelihood are important but under the current circumstances life has to be saved. “The government has to also give attention to livelihood. Relaxations of lockdown guidelines are meant to generate livelihood opportunities,” he pointed out, adding, “Irrespective of government’s lockdown or shutdown, if we think of our children and parents and adopt self-lockdown, we shall surely win this war.”
