News Highlights
- It is expected that the government may make certain relaxations in the August SOP for most of the districts except Cuttack and Khordha.
- The temples and places of worships have remained closed for public across the State.
- Opera artistes have also urged the government to allow resumption of stage performances.
As the current unlock guidelines for July is coming to an end, the Odisha Government is scheduled to announce new norms for August today.
Additional Chief Secretary and Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena is likely to announce August unlock guidelines when he addresses the State today at 3.30 pm.
It is expected that the government may make certain relaxations in the August SOP for most of the districts except Cuttack and Khordha.
Partial lockdown is likely to continue in the state with more restrictions in districts having high active cases.
Curbs are likely to remain in force in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar where test positivity rate is still high in comparison to others.
The temples and places of worships have remained closed for public across the State. Even as widespread resentment continues to surface from various sections of servitors who largely depend on the temple and devotees’ donation, it will be challenging for the government in deciding for reopening the religious institutions.
Similarly, opera artistes have also urged the government to allow resumption of stage performances.
The daily-infections have come down below 2000 even as the TPR is yet to dip below 2 per cent in the State. Khordha district is still under the red zone while Cuttack and Balasore have entered the yellow zone.
Experts say the government may extend the timing of opening of shops in category B districts while Category A regions having low TPR may also get some more relaxations.
Special focus might be given on the reopening of malls, cinema halls and theatres.
Any king of gathering including political, religious and social is unlikely to get relaxed as the congregation contributes much to the speed outbreak of the virus.
Odisha on Saturday reported 1,578 fresh Covid positive cases taking the cumulative tally to 9,77,268 with a positivity rate at 2.18% in the State.
The State also recorded 68 fresh fatalities due to Covid 19 taking the toll to 5902.
