Odisha announces Unlock-6 guidelines; Know what’s open and what’s closed

Bhubaneswar: Amidst COVID-19 pandemic, Odisha Government today announced unlock 6.0 guidelines withdrawing restrictions on several activities partially in the State.

As per the guidelines, the lockdown will remain in force in containment zones. All the schools and colleges will remain shut and congregation in marriage and funeral events will be limited.

Similarly, the international flight services except as permitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs will continue to remain closed till November end this year.

The guidelines will remain in force in Odisha from November 1 to November 30, 2020.

Here is what will open and stay closed in Unlock 6 in Odisha:

1. Containment zones continue to be under lockdown. Only essential activities will be allowed restricting movement of people within or out of the zones. There will be extensive contract tracing, house-to-house surveillance and other clinical interventions as required.

2. No authority can impose any lockdown at district, sub-division, city or below level outside containment zones.

3. International air travel of passengers except as permitted by the MHA will continue to remain closed till Nov 30.

4. Large social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other congregations will remain prohibited till Nov 30. However, the guidelines issued dated Oct 1 for political meetings and other functions in connection with bye-elections to two Assembly seats scheduled to be held on Nov 3 will be operational till end of campaigning period as permitted by the Election Commission of India/CEO, Odisha. 

5. Marriage related gatherings will be allowed with a maximum ceiling of 200 persons and funeral related gatherings with a maximum ceiling of 50 persons. Wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing and provision of thermal screening, use of hand wash and sanitiser will be mandatory

6. All the academic institutions will remain closed till Nov 30. However, Class 9-12 in schools under control and supervision of School & Mass Education Department will open from Nov 16 as per guidelines/SOP to be issued by the concerned department.

7. Amidst closure of educational institutions, only conduct of examinations will be permitted, online/distance learning classes will be encouraged, teaching and non-teaching staff may be called to schools for online teaching/tele-counselling related work outside containment zones as per the SOP issued by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

8. Higher education institutions will be permitted to open only for research scholars and post-graduate students in science and technology stream. All training activities including skill and professional development will be allowed.

9. The local authority may permit public worship in religious places with appropriate restrictions, based on local assessment of the situation with regard to spread of COVID-19 and in due consultation with relevant stakeholders.

10. Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment complexes, theatres, auditoriums, assembly halls, and similar places will continue to remain closed. However, appropriate decision may be taken further based on assessment on Nov 16 with regard to opening of these establishments.

11. Open Air Theatres will be permitted to open with adherence to COVID-19 rules. The swimming pools owned and controlled by the Government/recognised by the Department of Sports and Youth Services are allowed for training of sports as per SOP issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

12. All Government and private offices are allowed with strict adherence to COVID-19 norms issued by the appropriate authorities. Non-adherence to the guidelines will invite action under appropriate provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

13. There shall be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons, private vehicles and goods. No separate permission will be required for such movements.

14. Inter-state and intra-state movement of passenger buses is allowed.

15. Movement of passenger trains, domestic passenger air travel, movement of persons on Vande Bharat and Air Transport Bubble flights and sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers will continue to be regulated as per SOPs.

16. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised against outdoor movement except for essential and health purposes.

Any person violating the guidelines will be liable to be proceeded against in accordance with the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987 and Regulations issued thereunder besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.