The Odisha government has decided to keep all schools, colleges, universities and Anganwadis as well as religious venues and movie theaters in the state closed until October 31, despite the latest Center Unlock 5 guidelines stipulating the reopening of these and more if the states so wish.
The latest unlocking guidelines for Odisha came on the day the state recorded 17 deaths due to Covid-19 infection, the highest figure in a single day so far. So far, 859 people in Odisha have succumbed to Covid-19, while another 53, who tested positive for the disease, have died of other comorbidities. So far, 2.22 lakh people in the state have been infected by the pandemic.
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The special aid commissioner, in an order tonight, said that all kinds of social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious functions, as well as large religious congregations, will remain banned in the state until the end of October.
Under the order, all movie theaters, swimming pools, entertainment complexes, theaters, auditoriums, function rooms and other similar venues for mass gatherings would remain closed until October 31. However, government-owned swimming pools would be allowed. It will be opened for the training of athletes from October 15, after the publication of the POE by the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Union.
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The latest guidelines from the Center have allowed movie theaters to open beginning October 15 with just 50% of seating capacity.
The state government order said open-air theaters and similar venues could open subject to compliance with security protocols, such as the mandatory use of face masks and physical distancing.
However, the state government allowed congregations of no more than 100 people for political activities, including the campaign of by-elections for the seats of the Tirtol and Balasore assemblies, scheduled for next month, subject to the wearing of masks and compliance with social distancing measures.
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