Bhubaneswar, Jan 31: Odisha government on Monday issued new covid guidelines for February imposing night curfew in all urban areas in the state from 10 PM to 5 AM every day and prohibiting all religious congregation and celebrations across the state . In January the night curfew was imposed from 9 PM to 5 AM .
The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) in an order here said since there has been steady increase of new covid variant Omicron there is a need to exercise caution and vigilance. The covid appropriate behaviour and protocol are to be observed scrupulously to prevent the transmission of the variant.
The order said all types of shops, malls,Shopping complexes, Cinema halls, Swimming pools , entertainment complexes,markets, haats, theatres, auditoriums, assembly halls, and similar places shall remain open across the state from 5 AM to 10 PM.
The state government however, prohibited large gatherings on river banks,ghats, ponds, sea shore or near water bodies on the occasion of Magha Saptami/Magha Purnima and on the day following in the entire state. However,the rituals of Magha saptami and Magh mela are allowed inside the temple without the participation of the devotees. The order said Saraswati puja will be observed in all temples without the participation of the devotees .
However, the government has allowed saraswati puja in the educational institutions with participation of a limited number of students observing covid appropriate behaviour. No saraswati puja will be allowed to be observed in public places other than schools and educational institutions. The people are advised to observe the saraswati puja at home with family members.
The Collectors and municipal commissioners will impose the restriction on the entry of devotees into the religious institutions in their respective jurisdictions with strict adherence to covid norms and appropriate behaviour The state government also allowed all government offices, private offices, public undertakings , corporations and autonomous bodies to operate with 100 percent staff in February.
