Odisha imposes Night Curfew from 9 pm to 5 am, Shuts Schools

Bhubaneswar: Amidst the surge in Covid-19 and Omicron cases across the country, the Odisha government has issued fresh guidelines to curb the spread of the virus and the third wave scare in the state .

On Wednesday, the COVID caseload in the state crossed the 1000k mark after a long time, while there are 24 Omicron cases. Concerned about the rising cases, the Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena informed that the government has decided to impose a night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am. It will be implemented from 7 January till February 1.

As per the new guidelines, all Anganwadi centres will be closed. Schools and colleges up to Standard 12 will also be closed. However, educational institutions can organize doubt clearing classes for Class 10 and 12 students with consent from parents.

Schools and colleges are allowed to oragnise online classes. All examinations including summative examinations will continue as per schedule.

Food court and food plaza at mall will remain open for take away only. No one will be allowed to consume food in the mall premises. Whereas hotels, restaurants, dhabas, bars and pubs are allowed to operate with 50% of seating capacity amid adherence of Covid-19 safety protocols.

Social and religious gatherings will be prohibited. However, the authorities allowed religious rituals in temples, churches, mosques and places of worship with limited number of priests and staff adhering to Covid safety protocols.

Marriages, thread ceremony and related gathering will be allowed with approval from local authorities with a ceiling of 100 persons. Only 50 persons will be allowed in funerals, last rites and related gatherings.

No rallies, procession, demonstrations, dharnas, strikes will be allowed. Exhibitions, trade fairs, expos and melas will be prohibited. Physical business to business meetings are prohibited. No picnic in parks, nature clubs, beaches and other tourist spots will be allowed. No cultural and dance programmes will be held in hotels, parks, malls, convention centres and Kalyan mandaps.

Political, sports, academic functions and gatherings will be allowed with a limit of 100 persons. In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed subject to the limit of attendees.

Gymnasiums, spas, beauty parlours and saloon will be allowed to within the time schedule fixed by the government with full compliance of Covid protocols.

Official meeting, training will be allowed with participation of maximum100 persons with prior written approval of Collector or Municipal Commissioner.

Indoor and outdoor film shooting or TV serial related shooting will be allowed. Maximum 50 persons will be allowed to be present during the shooting in compliance of Covid protocols.