Phulbani: With an aim to contain further spread of deadly COVID-19, the Kandhamal district administration today announced a 10-day lockdown in the entire district from 5 am on July 29 until midnight of August 7.

In an order, Kandhamal District Collector Brundha D. stated during this lockdown, all shops and commercial establishments, offices, institutions will remain closed and mobility of people restricted with few exemptions.

The order further mentioned shops selling grocery, fruit and vegetable items and milk will be available from 7 am to 1 pm subject to adherence to COVID-19 norms and barricading their vending zones to maintain at least two meters distance from the customers.

In emergency cases vehicles will be allowed to ply subject to permission of concerned Sub Collector, it added.

The movement of government officials in emergency duty will be allowed subject to production of government ID card.

Medicine stores will remain open irrespective of lockdown or shutdown following COVID-19 guidelines.

The order further said movement of goods and good carriers whether loaded or unloaded are allowed in the lockdown.

So far, a total of 452 persons in the district tested positive for the virus.