Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday decided to extend the partial lockdown in the state till 6 AM of July 16, announced Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra.
Further detailing the lockdown process, Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra said 20 districts have been classified in Category A and 10 districts in Category B, which are Nayagarh, Cuttack, Puri, Cuttack, Khurda, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj.
During this period, shops will now be allowed to open from 6 AM to 6 PM in 20 districts with adherence to COVID protocols. Similarly, for the 10 districts with a higher positivity rate, the shops will remain open from 6 AM to 2 PM.
The Chief Secretary further stated that bus transport will be allowed in the Category A districts but under strict adherence to COVID norms. Buses will be allowed to pick up passengers up to seating capacity only.
Taxis and auto-rickshaws can carry a maximum of 2 persons apart from the driver, Mohapatra added.
However, the weekend shutdown will remain in force in 10 districts under Category B.
All restrictions on the conduct of marriage, cremation, meetings, and social gatherings would continue, Mohapatra further said.
Moreover, the night curfew will remain operational from 6 PM to 6 AM every day.
