Odisha Police Collect Over 22 Lakh Fine, Arrest 15 Persons For COVID Norms Violations In 24 Hr

Bhubaneswar: Penalty worth Rs 22,20,450 was slapped for violation of COVID-19 guidelines in the state in the last 24 hours.

Odisha Police tweeted on Saturday to inform that 15 people were arrested for flouting the norms and 424 vehicles were seized.

This apart, two cases were also registered during the same period, it added.

Odisha began the unlocking process following a drop in COVID cases on June 17 by relaxing the restrictions partially.

The lockdown-like restrictions have been relaxed from 6 am to 5 pm in 17 districts in western and southern Odisha, where the test positivity rate is 5 per cent or less.

In the rest of the 13 districts including the capital city of Bhubaneswar, the relaxation would be between 6 am and 1 pm.

On Thursday, DGP Abhay informed that Rs 16 crore fine was collected from the violators of COVID-19 guidelines and cases lodged against 5.30 lakh people in the last two and a half months. While 1,486 people were arrested,  31,758 vehicles were seized for the offence, he added.

Abhay also appealed to people to continue wearing mask and following social distancing to help the government check the spread of COVID-19.

“Do not force us to take action. Follow COVID appropriate behaviour religiously. Though the situation has improved in Odisha, wearing masks and maintaining social distance will help us save ourselves from the infection,” he added.