Odisha govt to implement strict covid 19 guidelines to avoid COVID-19 virus spike

In a letter, Special Relief Commissioner P K Jena asked the officers to implement ten-point safety guidelines strictly to avoid the resurgence of the disease in the state.

The SRC directed to take strong penal action against the persons violating the COVID-19 guidelines and to seal the shops and other commercial establishments found violating such norms. Action will be taken against them as per law, Jena said.

An action taken report on the above directions must be submitted by 11 AM on February 22 next. The officials were asked to send a weekly report to the SRC every Monday on the enforcement measures taken.

The SRC said after a year-long fight against COVID-l9 pandemic, Odisha has been able to substantially reduce the number of infections in the state.

In view of the improved situation and keeping in view the livelihood of the people, the government has relaxed most of the restrictions and allowed the educational/ training institutions to open in a limited way with the condition that the basic COVID-19 safety protocols shall be duly observed.

But, it is observed that people at many places are showing complacency in observing the basic safety protocols such as the mandatory wearing of mask or other face covering while in public places, frequent hand-washing or use of hand sanitiser, maintaining a minimum one-meter physical distance, avoiding congregation.

The letter said recently in addition to the detection of some cases with new variants of the covid 19 virus, a spike in the number of new covid-19 cases has been observed in Maharashtra and some other states.

‘’We need to be very careful and ensure strict enforcement of the COVID-19 safety protocols by all in public places including workplaces to avoid any chance of resurgence of the disease in our state,” the SRC circular said.

The SRC in his letter asked District and Police Authorities to check and ensure strict observance of covid -l9 safety protocols such as the mandatory wearing of masks, maintaining physical distance in all public places including workplaces and educational institutions.

It also asked to launch a public awareness campaign through loudspeaker announcements in all marketplaces, haat and other places, to sensitise the people.

Concerned authorities of Government and private offices/ institutions including educational institutions shall be responsible for due compliance of the covid 19 safety protocols in their respective establishments.

Large congregations must be avoided and wherever permission has been granted for marriages,

other social/ religious functions, sports, entertainment/ academic, cultural, any other gathering, congregations, compliance of the covid 19 safety protocols and crowd size in such gatherings shall be strictly monitored.

Under no circumstances, persons more than the number permitted shall be entertained in all such gatherings, he warned.

The SRC directed to maintain adequate and strict sanitation measures in schools, colleges, other educational institutions and Anganwadi centres.

The teachers and concerned authorities shall ensure observance of "covid -19 safety protocols. Any person found with covid 19 symptoms must be immediately reported to the nearest health institution and necessary further action be taken as per the advice of the health authorities.

Nothing other than the curricular activities shall be allowed in educational institutions.

Hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other places of public eating must be closely monitored by the police authorities to ensure strict compliance of physical distancing norms and other safety protocols.

Jena directed senior officers of the district administration to visit different places to ascertain and ensure Covid-19 safety protocol compliance.