Odisha Fights COVID-19: State Spells Out What Types Of Mask To Use

Bhubaneswar: The government of Odisha is leaving no stones unturned to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

After Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced on Thursday that lockdown in the state was being extended till April 30, the government also issued an order whereby it informed the people that those who don’t wear masks in public places, will be fined.

As per the notification of the state’s Health & Family Welfare department, the use of mask constitutes:

1) All persons shall cover their mouth and nose with any available form of mask while coming out of house for any purpose. A handkerchief or any other piece of cloth in at least two layers can also be used for the purpose.
(b) All officers not below Extension Officers of the Block or all officers not below Additional Tahsildars or all police officers not below Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police or all officers of Urban Local Bodies not below the Ward Officer are authorized to ensure prevention of crowding and also ensure use of any form of masks or clothes such as handkerchiefs,
bandanas, gamuchha, dupatta or the like by the people, while coming out of their house
(c) Disposable or single use masks shall be properly disposed of by following due procedure prescribed by the Health & Family Welfare Department from time to time. Cloth masks should be cleaned with soap or detergent or disinfectant and water and those shall be sun dried for at least 5 hours after every single use.
(d) Masks used by one person shall not be used by any other person.
(e) The use of mask by all persons shall be mandatory with effect from 7 am of 9th April, 2020.