Introduction

Covid-19 pandemic has taken several lives till now, and its fury is increasing day by day. Owing to the increasing number of infections, several States have announced a mini lockdown to control the spread of this disease. Odisha was also one of those states who had imposed a 14-day lockdown to curb the pandemic. But since this is increasing, the Odisha Government is compelled to extend the lockdown. This article would look into all the details about this lockdown extension. 

Details about the lockdown extension in Odisha

Going to increase COVID infections in the state, the Odisha govt. Has announced lockdown from 19th May 2021 5:00 am (Wednesday) till 1st June 2021 5:00 am. The government has clarified that there will be a complete law shutdown on weekends (from 6:00 pm on Friday to Monday at 5:00 am). 

The other things notified by the Odisha Government within this circular are: 

1. The movement of persons will be strictly limited, although goods and good carriers would be allowed. 
2. Vaccination in government hospitals will continue as it was before the lockdown in all COVID vaccination centres. 
3. People who want to have  COVID testing are allowed to travel but with proper permits and guidelines. 

The activities that will remain completely banned during this lockdown extension in Odisha: 

1. All the public transport buses used for intrastate movement will not be allowed, but essential goods and medical reasons will be taken into account for allowing travelling. 
2. The government has closed down all the educational, coaching and training institutes. Even business gatherings, trades/fairs etc., are completely prohibited. 
3. All the entertainment places like cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment parks, bars, auditoriums, open-air theatres etc. will not be permitted. 
4. Beauty parlour, spa, salon, barbershops and other such shops would also remain closed. 
5. There is a bar on a religious gathering in all the sacred places. Only one or two priests or servitors will be allowed for holy rituals.
6. Regarding marriages, the government has set an upper limit of 25 people per marriage. Similarly, only 20 people will be allowed for the funeral and last rites. Following covid-19 safety, protocols are a must in these congregations. 
7. There is a bar on the inside or outside shooting of any film/TV serial. 

The activities that will remain operational even during this lockdown extension in Odisha: 

1. All the medical services like hospitals, dispensaries, clinics, nursing homes, medical labs, COVID-19 related research labs, vet hospitals etc., are exempted from this lockdown. 
2. Even the private establishments that provide any covid-19 related assistance like vaccines etc. Will be allowed to operate. 
3. The manufacturing units of oxygen, medicines, pharmaceuticals, drugs etc. Will remain operational. 
4. Although there is a restriction on the interstate and intrastate movement by the government, transportation of essential services and ambulances from one place to another. are allowed.
5. The government is also pondering the idea of setting up a green corridor for easy facilitation of essential services like covid-19 oxygen cylinders and other assistance. 
6. Besides the medical sector, the financial industry would also work during the lockdown. The list of financial institutions open during the slow down is RBI and related institutions like NPCI, Payment operators, clearing House facility etc. 
7. ATMs, Bank branches SEBI and its branches, IRDAI and insurance institutions, NBFCs and Cooperative credit societies would also remain functional. However, preference will be given to online banking. 
8. Although Odisha Government has been trying to work from home to maintain social distancing, public utilities like railways working under the Government orders, power transmission entities, water sanitation and waste management sectors, telecommunication DTH and cable services would be exempted from lockdown. 
9. Ration shops providing dairy products, fruits, vegetables, etc., would also remain open from Mon- Friday from 7 am to 11 am, but home delivery would be given preference rather than direct buying. 
10. Agriculture and related activities like horticulture, seed growing, seed distribution, procurement of pulse and oilseeds etc. Will also remain fully functional. 
11. There will be a maximum of 50% of workers on a plantation. 
12. Significant government departments like police, NDRF, FCI, NYKs, IMD would also be working during the lockdown. 
13. The training activities of police, military etc., would also continue with proper covid guidelines. 

Conclusion

The article looked at various details of Odisha lockdown. Since we know that infections are very much deadly, we must ensure our safety by following safety protocols like wearing Mask, maintaining social distance etc.