Odisha removes weekend curbs

Govt increases ceiling on gatherings

The Odisha government on Tuesday lifted the weekend shutdown restrictions imposed on three major cities in the state – state capital Bhubaneswar, pilgrim city Puri and Cuttack.

The government also allowed 100 per cent occupancy of seats in cinema halls, replacing the earlier order of 50 per cent occupancy. It, however, continued with certain restrictions on holding public fairs and gathering of crowds at religious and social functions.

The government increased the ceiling on gatherings at marriages and funerals to 250 persons as per the unlock guidelines for the month of September.

“Marriages, thread ceremony, funerals, last rites and related gatherings with approval from local authorities shall be allowed with a ceiling of 250 persons (for the entire event) including hosts, guests, priests and catering and other support staff with adherence to Covid safety protocols,” the guidelines issued by the state special relief commissioner (SRC) P.K. Jena stated.

The government has also allowed marriage procession with maximum 50 participants.

Sources in the government said it has ramped up the pace of Covid vaccination drive in all the 30 districts and set to target to achieve complete inoculation by December 2021.

While informing about the current status of the Covid vaccination drive in the state, director of health and family welfare department Dr Bijay Panigrahi informed that the immunisation process is underway in a smooth manner as the Centre has supplied vaccines over and above the state’s share this month.

“Till date, around 2.20 crore Covid jabs have been administered across the state,” Panigrahi said.