COVID-19: Odisha asks people to use masks while stepping out houses

Bhubaneswar: Amid the COVID-19 epidemic, the Odisha government today asked the people of the State to cover their mouth and nose with mask or any other piece of cloth in at least two layers while venturing out of their houses.

The decision has been taken after it was found that masks are extremely useful in controlling and containment of spread of COVID-19 as seen from several global and national experiences.

In an order, Chief Secretary and Chairman of State Executive Committee Asit Tripahy said, “The general public is directed to cover their mouth and nose with any available form of mask while stepping out of house for any purpose. A handkerchief or any other piece of cloth in at least two layers can also be used for the purpose, until further orders.” The order will take effect from 7 am of April 9.

The order further asked the district and municipal authorities to ensure people use any form of masks/clothes such as handkerchiefs, bandanas, gamuchha and dupatta etc while stepping out of their houses and implement the directive strictly.

In case people use disposable single use masks, such masks shall be properly disposed of. Cloth masks should be cleaned with soap/ disinfectant and water and sun dried for at least 5 hours after every single use. Masks used by one person must not be used by any other person, the order said.

So far a total of 39 persons from Odisha have been tested positive for COVID-19.