COVID-19 cases rise in Bhubaneswar; containment zone, shutdown declared in 4 GPs

Bhubaneswar: With rise in COVID-19 cases in Bhubaneswar Sub Division, containment zone and shutdown have been declared in 4 Gram Panchayats on outskirts of the State capital.

The Sarpanch vested with Collector power announced Pratapsasan Gram Panchayat under Balianta Block as the containment zone after 64 cases were detected in the rural area in two weeks.

As per the order, 19 wards of the GP will be under containment zone from 6.00 am of August 21 till 6.00 am of August 24.

The public movements will be restricted and the non-essential activities will not be allowed during the period, said Pratapsasan Sarpanch Bhagyadhar Nandi adding that the swab testing of persons who have come in contact with infected persons will be expedited in the panchayat.

On the other hand, the local authorities have announced shutdown in 3 panchayats — Majhihara, Bhakarsahi and Bhapur — under Balipatana Block for a period of 5 days after 20 new positive cases were reported from these panchayats on Tuesday.

In view of rise in the cases, the sarpanches concerned decided shutdown fearing community transmission of COVID-19 in the localities.

The shutdown restrictions in 3 GPs under Balipatana block will remain in force till 9.00 pm of August 24 with effect from 2.00 pm today.