Jajpur: Even after lifting of 60-hour shutdown in Japur district, the authorities today declared two more Gram Panchayats (GPs) as containment zones till May 10 following six fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported on Saturday.

The district administration enforced restrictions in Katikata village, Bihipur village in Katikata GP, Mohanty Patna village and Mallikapur (Part) in Mallikapur GP under Dasarathpur Block to contain possible spread of the deadly virus.

Already, one Gram Panchayat - Birajapur - under Dasarathpur Block is under containment as part of precautionary measure for prevention of spread of COVID-19. Today, the district magistrate also extended the restriction from April 26 till May 10.

With declaration of three GPs as the containment zones in the district, the public will be restricted from entering into and going out of the containment zones from 8.00 am on April 26 till 8.00 am on May 10 even after end of nationwide lockdown on May 3.

"All the inhabitants within the containment zones shall strictly remain in home. All the shopping establishments of whatsoever nature shall continue to remain closed. The supply of essential commodities and medical requirements will be ensured through various teams formed by Jajpur administration," the office order issued by Jajpur Collectorate stated today.

With detection of six more cases in Jajpur yesterday, the tally reached 18 in the district. All the patients have been identified as West Bengal returnees.