Bhubaneswar: Revising its earlier order issued for the ensuing state-wide lockdown, the state government Monday allowed Aahar centres to remain open during the period (from May 5 to 19). However, only takeaways are allowed and dine-in is strictly prohibited.
The state government is providing 5-rupee cooked meal at the Aahar centres opened at all major hospitals and public places across the state.
Similarly, Central government institutions like Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and others are allowed to keep their hostels open in strict adherence to Covid safety protocol, government said in an order issued Monday.
Meanwhile, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena has appealed to the people not to resort to panic buying and create rush at the shops.
Jena said as per instructions of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, shops dealing with grocery, fish, vegetable, milk, food items and other essential commodities would remain open from 6am to 12 noon for 5 days from Monday to Friday during the lockdown.
“The shops will be closed only during weekend shutdowns on Saturday and Sunday. There is sufficient stock of essential commodities. Transportation of food items and other goods is also continuing. Supply of essential items will remain unabated. There is no need for buying more things at a time,” he said in a video message.
“Going into the crowd near the shops will infect you and ultimately your family,” he stated.
The SRC urged the people not to invite corona to home by creating crowd and entering the crowd. Creating crowd would defeat the very purpose of the lockdown.
PNN
