SHUT DOWN ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY DECLARED IN ROURKELA, KALUNGA AND BIRMITRAPUR
Rajesh Mohapatra,Odishabarta
ROURKELA,11/07/20:In an important circular by the local administration, shut down is declared in three areas, Rourkela city including Steel Township area and its nearby area, Kalunga and Birmitrapur till 31st July.
Since last few days corona positive cases have been increased in large numbers in these areas, particularly in Rourkela.
Even in a single day it spiked more than 45 cases for consecutive days. Though in a press briefing few days back, the collector of Sundergarh, Nikhil Pavan Kalyan clarified that shot down is not likely to happen in near future but shut down decision may be taken if situation worsen.
This spike in corona cases forced the administration to take this decision so early. In a circular by the collector of Sundergarh on 9th July has ordered for a two days shurt down on Saturday and Sunday as it is happening in few other areas of Odisha.
As per the new guidelines regarding shut down, all shops and business houses will remain shut excepting Medicines shop, grocery shops and milk vendors are allowed to open their respective shops for public service from 6am to 2pm. Personal Vehicular movement is restricted except in emergency cases, like hospital and medicine purchase.The private taxi service by OLA and UBER,etc are allowed to pick up and drop in emergency need like from railway stations and Airports and in medical emergency. All transport vehicles will be allowed carrying essential commodities. All educational and teaching institutes will remain closed. Govt. and Private institutions will also be closed. Assembling of people is also not allowed. Night curfew is imposed till 9pm to 5am next day everyday till 31st July, 2020 on these two days in a week. But this will not apply for Govt. officials on duty, Doctors and Medical/Paramedical staffs, Staff of It companies(producing ID cards),person/s travelling for medical emergency, owner and staff of chemist shops, transport aggregators like OLA &UBER etc.Dhabas along National/State Highway, Petrol pumps, CNG stations and media reporters as identified by Commissioner of police/District police. All industrial establishments, factories and construction sites, agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandries, veterinary services and its allied services will remain open. Movement of rail transport, road transport of highways, road movement of transacting vehicles will be allowed. AtMs and critical financial institutions, clearing Houses will also be remained open for the public. All those who are allowed as per the guidelines must adhere to RMC rules for prevention of Covid-19 like using Mask, Social distancing. Any violation of the same will attract penalties as per the law.
