Odisha

Odisha Govt To Announce September COVID Guidelines Today; What To Expect?

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: With the July 31 COVID-19 guidelines ending in less than 24 hours, the Odisha government is likely to announce the new norms for September on Tuesday.

According to official sources, a meeting of senior government officials is currently on to decide the guidelines for the next month.

Considering the rising number of children getting infected by COVID and the upcoming festive season, the government, however, is unlikely to announce more relaxations in the ongoing partial lockdown.

While Odisha has been reporting less than 1000 new COVID cases since August 20 with the test positivity rate hovering around 1 per cent, the high infection rate in the 0-18 age group is slowly turning into a concern. Among the new cases (638) detected in the last 24 hours, 17 per cent were children and adolescents. 

Around 40 in the age group have lost their lives to the deadly disease in the second wave with a two-month-old baby of Khurda district being the latest victim.

The high caseload in Khurda and Cuttack also continues to be a sore point. Khurda is in the red zone with 2815 active cases. The remaining 29 districts are in the green zone with Cuttack (845) and Balasore (475) leading the tally.

Notably, 3255 of the total 7255 active cases are from Bhubaneswar.

Also Read: Weekend Shutdown To Continue In 3 Odisha Cities; Malls & Cinema Hall To Reopen With Rider

Currently, the weekend shutdown is being imposed in three cities – Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri while night curfew starts at 8 pm across the state. The government has allowed for the opening of most facilities with a few restrictions and with strict adherence to the COVID protocols. Religious places are also slowly reopening.

The traders’ organisations, especially in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri, have demanded the lifting of the weekend shutdown while Jatra artists have urged the government to relax the night curfew as it had adversely affected their livelihood despite them being allowed to hold shows.

However, the weekend shutdown is likely to continue in September and there will not be much change in COVID management guidelines, the sources added.

 

 

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

After Mahayuti’s Mahavijay, Who Will Be Maharashtra’s New CM? Here’s What Devendra Fadnavis & Eknath Shinde Said

Mumbai: With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and the NCP alliance emerging victorious in…

November 24, 2024

Driver Burnt Alive As Container Catches Fire Near Laxmannath Toll Plaza In Odisha

Balasore: The driver of a container truck was charred to death after the vehicle caught…

November 24, 2024

80 Arrested In Massive Crackdown On Illegal Gambling In Odisha’s Nuapada

Nuapada: At least 80 people were arrested during a massive crackdown on illegal gambling activities…

November 24, 2024

IAS Reshuffle In Odisha: Sudhansu Samal Appointed OMC MD, Yamini Sarangi As Commercial Taxes & GST Commissioner

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has transferred Special Secretary, Planning and Convergence, Chitra Arumugam and posted…

November 24, 2024

Clash Erupts In Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal During Official Survey Of Mosque Following Court Order

Sambhal: A violent clash erupted in Uttar Pradesh’s Sambhal on Sunday after a group opposed…

November 24, 2024

Hina Khan Shares Warm Post For ‘Humble And Kind’ Salman Khan

Mumbai: Television actress Hina Khan, who is battling breast cancer, recently met host Salman Khan…

November 23, 2024

AR Rahman Sends Legal Notice To Defamers Over Link-Up Rumours With Mohini Dey

 Mumbai: Following reports of his alleged link-up with bassist Mohini Dey, renowned music composer AR…

November 23, 2024

Tamannah Bhatia & Vijay Varma Go House Hunting; Is Marriage On Cards?

Mumbai: The love story of actors Tamannaah Bhatia and Vijay Varma has not been clandestine.…

November 23, 2024