Berhampur: Ganjam district, which was a hotspot for Covid-19 infections during the first phase of the pandemic, is positioned itself in a better place this time. The continued efforts by the district administration and the appeals by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on maintaining Covid appropriate behavior helped the numbers getting down to zero. With the second wave gripping districts, such as Khordha and Sundargarh the most, Ganjam has remained safer.
While tracing, testing and treatment of the people is going on with full speed, people seem to have made their mind this time to fully support the government in adhering to the guidelines suo moto. As part of their efforts, most of the business associations in the southern district have come forward with their own decision to restrict business activities.
The business associations in the district have decided to close the shops and business establishments in urban areas of Ganjam district from 2 pm to 5 am daily for the next 10 days. The decision has been taken to break the Corona chain.
Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange has welcomed the steps taken by the associations and requested all people to support this initiative and said that together we can win this battle against COVID.
Meanwhile, shops in Berhampur Bada Bazar, the major business hub in south Odisha, will also remain closed from 2pm to 5am. The merchant association of Desibehera street has announced it.
Earlier, the Aska Chamber of Commerce had also decided to close all shops and business establishments in Aska area from April 26 till May 2. The decision was taken by the association at its general body virtual meeting held on April 24. In a letter to Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange through Aska Tahasildar, the Chamber of Commerce informed that all members of the association decided to close their shops and establishment from April 26 to May 2 for the purpose of breaking the chain of COVID-19 in Aska. However, medicine shops will be open and necessary arrangements have been made for door delivery of essential commodities, it said.
While the Chief Minister continuously reminded people regarding the benefits of social distancing and Covid appropriate behavior through various media such as video messages and social media, his messages also stressed on the well being of the people. He had reminded them that keeping the people safe from Covid is the priority and saving lives is the ultimate aim. A little sacrifice in terms of livelihoods at this time of need can break the Covid chain and stop infections. This seems to have a positive impact on the businessmen who have volunteered to curtail the business timing in order to minimize crowd.
Meanwhile, talking to Thenewsroom.co.in, Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange said that the administration is getting supports from the people at the grassroots level in the fight against COVID-19.
Kulange, who visited the Chatrapur and Bhanjanagar divisions on Wednesday to review the prevailing pandemic situation, said that the PRI members have assured the administration to take necessary precautionary measures voluntarily to prevent spread of the second wave of the virus.