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Odisha issues fresh guidelines to avoid possible Covid resurgence

The advisory said district administration and police would check and ensure strict observance of Covid-l9 safety protocols.

Published on: Feb 21, 2021, 22:07:36 IST
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Amid a spike in Covid-19 infection in Kerala and Maharashtra, the Odisha government on Sunday issued fresh guidelines to avoid possible resurgence of oronavirus in the state.

FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker reacts as she receives a dose of COVISHIELD, a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India, during one of the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination campaigns at Mathalput Community Health Centre in Koraput district of the eastern state of Odisha, India, January 16, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui (REUTERS)
FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker reacts as she receives a dose of COVISHIELD, a COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India, during one of the world's largest COVID-19 vaccination campaigns at Mathalput Community Health Centre in Koraput district of the eastern state of Odisha, India, January 16, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui (REUTERS)

"Public awareness through loudspeaker announcements is to be made frequently in all marketplaces, haat and other places. Any person found with Covid-19 symptoms must be immediately reported to the nearest health institution and necessary further action be taken as per advice of the health authorities," said the advisory from the Special Relief Commissioner's office.

It said people are being complacent in observing the basic safety protocols such as mandatory wearing of masks in public, frequent hand-washing or use of hand sanitizer, maintaining minimum one meter physical distance and avoiding congregations.

The advisory said district administration and police would check and ensure strict observance of Covid-l9 safety protocols such as mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining physical distance in all public places including work places and educational institutions.

The advisory said authorities of government and private offices including educational institutions would be responsible for due compliance of the Covid-19 safety protocols in their respective establishments. "Large congregations must be avoided and wherever permission has been granted for marriages, other social/ religious functions, sports, entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ any other gathering/ congregations, compliance of the Covid-19 safety protocols and crowd size in such gatherings would be strictly monitored. Under no circumstances, persons more than the number permitted would be entertained in all such gatherings. Senior officers of the district administration will visit different places/institutions to ascertain and ensure compliance. Persons violating the Covid-19 guidelines would be penalised," the advisory said.

Director of Medical Education and Training CBK Mohanty said though there has been a surge in Covid-19 cases in some parts of the country leading to imposition of lockdown and night curfew, the situation is under good control in Odisha. He however said lockdown can be imposed if the situation warrants so.

“Lockdown can be avoided if the people are cautious. They should strictly follow all prescribed guidelines, including wearing masks and social distancing. Out surveillance teams are keeping a track on people coming from other states," said Mohanty.

Fifty eight people tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday. Odisha’s Covid-19 tally now stands at 3.36 lakh including 1,914 dead. There are currently 562 active cases in Odisha. There are no active cases in four of the 30 districts in the state.

  • Debabrata Mohanty
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Debabrata Mohanty

    Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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