Schoolteachers spotted picnicking with students despite ban in Odisha

Sambalpur: Amidst unabated surge in daily COVID-19 cases across Odisha, schoolteachers allegedly throw safety norms to the wind in Sambalpur district by picnicking with students despite ban.

Even as all schools in the State are closed and restrictions have been imposed on picnic in public places due to steep hike in COVID cases, approximately 100 children of a government-run upper primary school were found picnicking under Sambalpur Town Police limits on Sunday.

The group of children all aged below 15 years had gone on a picnic with two teachers flouting COVID-19 guidelines issued by the State Government.

The picnickers were allegedly sans masks with non-adherence to social distancing during picnic.

Worth mentioning that the Government has banned picnic and all types of celebrations in public places in view of upsurge in COVID-19 cases. Despite restrictions, the COVID norms flout by schoolteachers in Sambalpur district that is categorised as red zone in Odisha raise serious concern.