Odisha To Impose Fresh COVID Guidelines From Jan 7; Wedding Gets Thinner; Check Details

Bhubaneswar: Amid a sharp rise in COVID cases, the Odisha government on Wednesday issued fresh guidelines to break the infection chain.

Besides extending the night curfew and shutting down schools, the government has imposed restrictions on picnics at tourist places from 5 am on January 7 till 5 am on February 1.

Briefing the media, Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Jena said hotels and bars will remain open till 9 pm at 50 per cent occupancy. The timing is the same for street vending and not more than 5 customers will be allowed at a time.

The SRC warned people against crowding marketplaces. It is the responsibility of mall and shop owners to check the crowd from swelling and in case of violation of the order, they could face sealing/ closure for not less than 7 days and suspension/ cancellation of trade licence or penalty.

Only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to enter market complexes and shopping malls.

Political gatherings/meetings, rallies and particularly for any election to be announced by the appropriate Election Commission should be limited to not more than 100 persons with full compliance with the COVID protocols, he said.

The SRC also asked private organisations to work with minimal staff and promote the work-from-home facility.

The guests at weddings have been capped at 100. Only 30 can participate in the Baraat (marriage procession) and a maximum of 50 people in death rituals. Government and private offices will run at 50 per cent capacity, he added.

CHECK THE GUIDELINES HERE: