All shopping centres, businesses, and stores are required to maintain a social distance of around two metres on their property.
Following a sharp increase in coronavirus infections, covid restrictions are once again in use in the Capital City. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued an alert, making the usage of masks and social distance necessary, and requested all city residents as well as visitors from outside the city to wear masks correctly in public places and while moving out.
All shopping centres, businesses, and stores are required to maintain a social distance of around two metres on their property. The BMC ruling made it clear that individuals found in violation will be dealt with in accordance with the penal provisions of the Odisha Covid-19 Regulations and said that it is the owner of the property who has the responsibility of preserving social distance.
Spitting is prohibited in public places, and the BMC advises individuals to often wash their hands and to use proper coughing and sneezing manners. It is mandatory for all citizens to maintain social distance while in public areas. The CEO/Manager/Head of all government and private offices must make sure that their staff members are acting in accordance with the newly-imposed criteria.
Return of the mask law in the capital
BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange has requested the cooperation of the city’s citizens and urged them to wear masks when leaving the house or going to busy areas. She has also suggested that all symptomatic people visit the closest health centre for the Covid-19 test.
From five on June 14 to 69 on Thursday, the number of new cases in Bhubaneswar increased 14 times in the previous 15 days. For the second day in a row, the State reported more than 150 new cases on Thursday, with 155 individuals from 17 districts testing positive for the virus in the previous 24 hours. On Wednesday, there were 161 cases total.
Khurda had the most cases (69), followed by Cuttack (16), Sundargarh (12), Puri (9), and Balasore (8). The number of active cases rose to 668 as a result. Even though testing slightly improved this week as a result of integrated door-to-door surveillance by the health professionals, the test positive rate (TPR) reached 1.21 percent (pc). Nine districts had TPRs of 1% or more, with Khurda leading the way with 8.5 percent, followed by Balasore (4.3 percent), Puri (3.38 percent), and Cuttack (2.3 pc).
Health professionals are especially concerned about the increase in illnesses in Puri, where a sizable gathering is anticipated on Friday for the Rath Yatra. In light of the impending fourth wave, they advised the authorities to limit the entry of pilgrims from outside the State this year.
People with symptoms have been told not to travel to Puri, according to Director of Health Services Dr. Bijay Mohapatra, while those with even lesser symptoms have been instructed to get a Covid test. In the state’s urban districts, notably Puri, beds and oxygen supply facilities have been improved. We have to abide by the rules and exercise caution till the end of the month,” he said.
Prasanta Patnaik