Bhubaneswar: With the spike in COVID-19 cases, state government announced a 60-hour complete shutdown in Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur districts from 10 pm Thursday.
Announcing the imposition of complete shutdown in the three districts, Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy said the rising number of novel coronavirus positive cases among returnees from West Bengal has become a concern for the government.
“Out of the 29 positive cases detected in last five days, 28 are from Balasore, Jajpur and Bhadrak districts. Keeping in view this situation, the state government decided to impose a complete shutdown in these three districts from 10 pm today till 10 am April 26,” he said.
During this period, the government will take various measures, including contact tracing to detect other positive cases. He said it will be a ‘curfew-like’ situation as no person will be allowed venture out of their homes during this period.
He, however, said emergency services like opening of select medicine shops and free movement of goods will be allowed. During shutdown, goods transport on the national highways passing through these districts to other area will be allowed.
Police personnel have been deployed in the border areas along West Bengal. Besides, Sarpanchs have been asked to identify those with recent travel history to West Bengal. People with recent travel history should voluntarily come up for tests and failing this action will be taken against them as per the law, said Tripathy.
“We have appeal to residents of Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore districts to observe the shutdown for 60 hours announced by Chief Secretary. Police will be constrained to prosecute and take other legal action against those violating the shutdown,” tweeted DGP Abhay.
Meanwhile, the government has appointed three secretary-level officials to oversee and monitor the COVID-19 situation in the three districts.