Covid-19 – Odisha Acts Tough, All Gatherings of More Than 7 People Banned in Twin Cities

Bhubaneswar: Taking no chances for the possible spread of the deadly Coronavirus, the commissionerate police of the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack has issued tough measures to ensure social distancing. According to an order issued Friday hy police Commissioner Sudhansu Sarangi, all gatherings of more than seven persons in any place except in a family are banned.

In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 35 of the Odisha Urban Police Act, the Commissioner has also given the following directions:

1. All stand-alone restaurants, bars, coffee shops, canteen, eateries of all kinds where large number of people dine and congregate are to be closed immediately until further orders. Further, all hotels are directed to maintain a social distance of 2 meters among guests in their in-house restaurants. All hotels and restaurants are advised to encourage the customers/guests to take takeaways.
2. All public transports including taxis and auto rickshaws on hire inside the city limits of all the Urban Local Bodies will be regulated to allow them on alternate days.
3. All Markets, shopping complexes, village haats etc. will be regulated to allow only sale of food items including groceries, vegetables, meat, chicken, fish, egg and other essential conveniences and daily need items.
4. No congregation of more than seven people is allowed at any place.

All Police officers above the rank of ASI can enforce this order and initiate prosecution under Section 100 of the Odisha Police Act, Section 269,270 of the Indian Penal Code and other provisions of law. These special measures shall be implemented forthwith.