Odisha to lift lockdown restrictions in few districts after June 17!

Bhubaneswar: Amidst speculation that the state Government may begin unlocking process after June 17 as the number of daily COVID-19 cases have declined significantly, Director of Health Services Bijay Mohapatra today informed that discussions are on to lift lockdown restrictions in certain districts.

Briefing mediapersons, the top health official said the Government is considering to start the unlocking process by relaxing certain lockdown restrictions in districts, where the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) has dropped below 5 per cent.

It is pertinent to mention here that, districts like Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Balangir, Subarnapur, Jharsuguda and Deogarh now come under green zone with steady fall in the infection.

Earlier yesterday, Chief Minister also hinted that the Government is considering to start unlocking process in districts where TPR has declined considerably, in phased manner.

The extended lockdown in the state that started on June 1 will remain in force till June 17.

Regarding the state’s preparedness for the possible third wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the official said the next wave is likely to arrive in September-October and affect children the most.

“We have already started our preparations to tackle the impending situation. Training to doctors has already begun to ensure that children, to be infected by the disease, gets the best treatment at hospitals. General and ICU beds have already put in place,” he said.

However, as per AIIMS New Delhi Director Dr Randeep  Guleria, children will not be affected much during the third wave, Mohapatra added.