Gajapati Admin Imposes 3-Day Lockdown, 4-Day Shutdown Every Week to Combat COVID-19

Paralakhemundi: Amid spike in COVID-19 cases in the district, the Gajapati administration has imposed a three-day lockdown and four-day shutdown of every week in various parts of the district to contain further spread of the virus.

As per an order issued by the admin, the three-day lockdown will be enforced from Monday to Wednesday and four-day shutdown from Thursday to Sunday of every week until further orders in most parts of the district including all block headquarters and Paralakhemundi Municipality.

The Kerandi Gram Panchayat (GP), Katalakaitha GP of Gosani Block, Ranipentha GP of Kashinagar Block, Jhammi GP of Gumma Block, all Block Headquarters, Municipal jurisdiction of Paralakhemundi and Kashinagar NAC will be under lockdown and shutdown till further orders.

Considering the close proximity of Kerandi GP, Katalakaitha GP, Ranipenta GP and Jhammi GP to the containment zones of Paralakhemundi Municipality, these Gram Panchayats have been included in the lockdown and shutdown.

During the period, no person shall be allowed to commute to Block Headquarters & ULBs by any means and no Government official shall be allowed to commute to Gajapati district from adjoining districts including Srikakulam district (AP) for duty. Only goods carriers and Medical Emergency vehicles shall be allowed for inter-district/inter-state movement.

Shops dealing with vegetables, grocery, milk, fruit, fish, meat, chicken and egg will be allowed to remain open between 6 am and 1 pm during the lockdown.

The following restrictions/exemptions will be implemented during the shutdown:

* All economic activities shall remain closed except for medical activities related to medical establishment including hospital, medical shop etc., and delivery of milk.
* The emergency services and transport services communicated by State Government shall be permitted.
* During the shutdown period, the Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) shall take up door-to-door health screening with Infrared Thermometer, Pulse Oximeter and Antigen Kits following due protocols. The RRTs will cover every family members to identify symptomatic cases of COVID-19 and their shifting to COVID Care Homes (CCHs) for isolation and testing.
* No public (visitors) shall be allowed in any public offices.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Gajapati district surged to 1145 with the addition of 89 fresh positive cases in the last 24 hours, according to the Health and Family Welfare Department.