Odisha issues COVID guidelines for the month of February 2022, revises Night Curfew timing

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government on Monday issued COVID guidelines for the month of February 2022 and revised Night Curfew timing.

According to the new COVID guideline, the Night Curfew timing will commence from 10 PM instead of 9 PM. It will remain in force till 5 AM every day.

During the night curfew period, the restriction shall not apply to the permissible activities prescribed for January, 2022 vide order No 64 dates 05.01.2022 and Corrigendum Order no.70/R & DM (MD) dated 06.01.2022. Further restrictions shall not apply to the following

Home delivery of food, groceries, vegetables, eggs, fish, meat, milk and other essential items’ by restaurants and aggregators such as Zomato, Swiggy, OPOLFED, OMFED, Cilika Fresh etc.

Celebration of festivities:

Several religious functions, Puja and festivities like Saraswati Puja, festivals namely Magha Saptami/ Magha Purnima will be observed/ celebrated during February, 2022. Saraswati Puja shall be observed with all rituals in the temples and religious places without the participation of devotees.

Saraswati Puja will be allowed in educational institutions with the participation of a limited number of students observing Covid appropriate behaviour. However, no Saraswati Puja will be allowed to be celebrated in public places other than in schools and educational institutions.

People are advised to perform the rituals/puja on the occasion of Saraswati Puja at home with family members only avoiding mass gatherings and adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols such as physical distancing, use of face masks/ covering and handwashing/ hand sanitizer.

No community feast associated with puja/ festivals during the period shall be allowed. There shall be no musical or any other entertainment program on the occasion of Saraswati Puja.

Large Congregation at river banks/ ghats/ponds/ seashore or near other water bodies to take bath on the occasion of Magha Saptami/ Magha Purnima and on the day following shall remain prohibited throughout the State. However, the rituals on Magha Mela/ Magha Saptami is allowed inside the temple without the participation of devotees. Religious congregations/ celebrations are strictly prohibited.

Functioning of offices:

All offices under the control and superintendence of govt. of Odisha, Public undertakings/ corporations/ societies/ autonomous bodies shall operate with 100% of the staff with strict adherence to COVID protocols. However, GA & PG Department shall issue detailed guidelines/ SOP regarding the attendance of officers & staff.

Virtual/online meetings & training shall be encouraged.