Odisha Prohibits Sale & Use Of Firecrackers In Diwali This Year Also, Issues SOP For Oct

Bhubaneswar: Continuing its preventive measures against spread of COVID-19, the state government on Thursday prohibited sale and use of firecrackers in Diwali this year also.

A fresh standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the office of Special Relief Commissioner for the month of October said, “In order to protect the health of general public and to curb the spread of infection, sale and use of firecrackers will remain prohibited during this festive month.”

It further said there shall be graded unlocking across the state from October 1 to November 1.

Night curfew will be remain in force from 10 pm to 5 am everyday. However, in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, night curfew will be imposed from 8 pm to 5 am from October 11 to 20.

There will be no weekend shutdown in the state and during the unlock period, all types of shops and malls will remain open from 5 am to 10 pm.

All other restrictions that have been in force as per previous order will continue, the SRC order stated.

It may be noted that the government had prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers across the state from November 10 to 30.