COVID-19 scare grips Odisha, govt extends regulation period to Apr 15

Amid coronavirus scare in Odisha following detection of a positive case, the state government on Tuesday extended the tenure of the regulation in force till April 15 and decided to set up more quarantine facilities in block level.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 which were in force till March 31, have been extended till April 15 and may be extended further if required.

"The regulation will be in force till April 15 which may be extended based on the situation. Appeal everyone to comply with the regulation and be part of Odisha's efforts in protecting the people of the state from #COVID19," Patnaik tweeted.

Authorities in around eight districts in the state imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC. Prohibitory orders were also clamped on Puri and Konark beaches. Berhampur and some other towns witnessed government-sponsored shut down in order to avoid mass gathering.

People in different parts of the state resorted to panic buying essential commodities as the government closed down shopping malls and big outlets where people in large numbers gather. However, government chief spokesperson Subroto Bagchi said malls are closed to avoid big crowd and social gathering.

"The shops inside the mall dealing with grocery items, medicine or milk articles will remain open," Bagchi said, adding that it is frequently seen that malls have become places for socialising apart from shopping.

"While schools, colleges and hostels remained closed across the state since March 13, Bagchi said Ashram schools housing 5.75 lakh ST & SC students will operate hostels. They are being monitored in close interval and have been found safe," he said.

After imposition of the prohibitory orders, the committee on vertical social distancing for COVID-19 response, headed by Additional Chief Secretary P K Mohaptra, said, "Provision of Section 144 of CrPC shall not be invoked either by the district magistrates and police in commissionerate area to enforce social distancing rather it should be implemented through information, education and communication and awareness build up and media campaign."