Odisha government on Monday issued some additional guidelines for stricter enforcement to curb the massive spike in cases of Coronavirus infections in the State. The announcement comes on a day when the State reported its biggest daily tally ever of 4445 new Covid cases and 4 deaths.Though Government has made use of masks mandatory, senior Congress leader Suresh Kumar Routray is openly violating the guidelines by not using masks at public places and while speaking to the media. Neither senior party functionaries nor the media have so far questioned about Routray’s such act, while the common men are reacting badly. They say while the police and Govt. officials are punishing common men with heavy monetary fine and physical punishment, they are keeping quiet over Routrsy’s openly violating the Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions.The Special Relief Commissioner has released a set of partial modifications of all its earlier orders for Covid-19 containment. The restrictions will become effective from April 21 and will remain in force till May 15, 2021.Here are the details of revised guidelines, what are allowed and what not.Weekend Shutdown to be enforced in all urban centres from April 24All educational institutions under control of State govt, technical/ professional institutions, including the Polytechnics/ Diploma Colleges/ Technical Colleges and Universities, closed until further orders. No Students shall be allowed to stay in Hostel under any circumstances.All ongoing offline Diploma examinations, which shall be concluded on 26th Aprll, 202L shall be allowed to continue as per programme by complying to Covid appropriate behaviour.Scholars, researchers, and students who desire to stay in hostel for research/ project works or other academic activities may be permitted for the same upon giving undertaking and subject to approval by appropriate authorities.AII Anganwadi Centres shall remain closed, as ordered by W&CD Department. Take-Home Ration or other alternate solutions as feasible may be worked out by the Department.The number of persons allowed in a marriage function shall not be more than 50 (for the entire event) including hosts, guests, priests and catering, and other support staff.In case of funerals and last rites, the ceiling on numbers of persons including host and family members, guests, priests, and other support staff shall be twenty (20).. In case of violations, vehicles and equipment, and accessories used in the procession shall be seized and criminal action taken against the host/ owner of the band/baja/light sound service provider.The list of participants should be submitted to the local authorities at least 24 hours before the event.No Social/ Cultural/ Political/ religious/ Academic meetings/ congregations shall be allowed. No rallies/ Processions of any soft shall be allowed.On entry of devotees into such religious places, District Magistrates may, looking into the prevailing situation in the district impose any further restrictions as deemed proper.Offering of feast/ guest entertainment/ community feast of any kind shall be prohibited irrespective of number of persons attending.Haats and Markets including fish markets shall be decentralized and allowed to operate with a minimum 30 feet distance from shop to shop.Malls shall operate with a reduced number of customers. No food court shall be open for seat-in dining. Only take away shall be allowed.Hotels / Restaurants shall not allow outside persons to dine inside the premises. They can serve takeaway food to customers through online or offline orders.No Street Food Vendors shall serve food to consumers at the venue.
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Prasanta Patnaik