COVID-19: Use of mask becomes mandatory in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The direction of the Odisha Government regarding use of mask by people being mandatory while venturing out of their houses came into effect today.

The government has made it mandatory for people to cover their face and mouth with a mask or cloth in view of the coronavirus outbreak. The Revenue and Disaster Management Department had issued an order in this regard.

Noting that novel coronavirus is assuming a grave threat to health of the people, the order said that masks have been found to be useful in controlling and containing COVID- 19.

“The general public is directed to cover their mouth and nose with any mask while stepping out of house for any purpose. A handkerchief or any other piece of cloth with at least two layers can also be used for the purpose,” it said.

The district and municipal authorities have been directed to strictly ensure that there is no crowding and people use masks or cloths such as handkerchief or dupatta to cover their faces while stepping out of their houses, an official said.

Single-use masks should be properly disposed of after use and cloths used for the purpose should be cleaned with disinfectants after every use. Masks used by one person must not be used by another, he added.