Odisha imposes night curfew in 10 districts between 10 pm to 5 am from April 5

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government imposed a night curfew in 10 districts between 10 pm to 5 am from April 5 in view of rising COVID-19 cases.

The districts where night curfew will be imposed are Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nawrangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri.

“It is observed that the number of COVID-19 positive cases are in increasing trend in some districts, therefore, for the interest of general public and to prevent transmission of infection night curfew in the districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Nawrangpur, Koraput and Malkangiri shall be in force from 5.04.202.11,” an official order read.

As per the order, all shops, commercial establishments, offices, institutions will remain closed and movement of individuals will be prohibited between 10 pm to 5 am, except for essential activities.

“District Collectors/ Municipal Commissioners shall issue orders for their respective jurisdictions, under appropriate provisions of law, such as under Section of CrPC, and ensure strict compliance. District Collector may impose any further restrictions or allow such activities as felt appropriate considering the local situation,” the order stated.

The restriction will not be applicable to following:

• District and municipal administration/ police/ government officials on duty

• Doctors, medical/ paramedical staff (govt. & private), ambulances and emergency health staff

• Emergency workers of utilities such as electricity, fire services, telecom, water supply, railways and airport, transport services

• Staff of IT and ITeS companies on production of their ID cards

• Any person, in case of medical or other emergency

• Owner/ staff of chemist shops

• All industrial units

• All construction activities

• Movement of public transport, private vehicles and taxis (including cabs by aggregators like Ola, Uber, etc.) to and from airports, railway station and bus terminals/ stands/ stops, for facilitating movement of passengers by air, rail and road.

• Operation of units, including their associated offices,

• Petrol pumps and CNG Stations

• LPG distribution, home delivery of cooking gas and associated facilities, personnel and vehicular movement

• Home Delivery of food, groceries, vegetables, egg, fish, meat and other essential items by restaurants and aggregators such.

The order further stated that no pass would be required for movement of the above category of persons and that valid travel documents shall be adequate for the purpose.