Night curfew imposed in Odisha on New Year’s Eve; read details

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to avoid any type of public congregation on the night of December 31, 2020, the government of Odisha imposed a night curfew across the state from Thursday 10 pm to Friday 5 am.

The night curfew will be in effect from 10 pm Thursday night to 5 am Friday morning, informed Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena.

“Govt of Odisha imposing Night curfew from 10pm of tonight to 5AM tomorrow morning across the state. General public requested to cooperate. All essential services& movements are allowed to continue during curfew hours,” Jena tweeted.

Bubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) December 28, 2020 issued an advisory, informing that there will be no New Year’s Eve celebrations in areas coming under its jurisdiction.

The BMC has taken the decision to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The civic body took to its Twitter handle to announce:  “Zero Night Celebrations at Hotels/Clubs/Convention halls/Kalyan Mandaps, etc is prohibited.

BMC requests its citizens to follow the #COVID Guidelines.

“The Govt of Odisha vide its Order No 6691/R&DM(DM) dated 30-11-2020 has explicitly prohibited large social gatherings to contain the spread of COVID-19. Keeping in view the approaching New Year zero night celebration clarifications/Advices are issued for Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation,” read the BMC order.

The SOPs issued are as follows:

Zero night celebration at hotels, clubs, convention halls, Kalyan Mandaps etc. is prohibited.

Large gatherings for zero night celebration at any other place are also not allowed.

Everyone is advised and requested to celebrate New Year with their family, friends, relatives at their respective houses, establishments with adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

PNN