Odisha was the first state to announce near-total lockdown on 21 March 2020, ahead of National Lockdown-1 affected on 25 March 2020 and now demanding extension of National lockdown from May 3rd to further.
By Dr Rabindra Narayan Behera from Bhubaneshwar
Bhubaneshwar, May 03, 2020: With the Pandemic Covid-19 World Wide, it is a big challenge in front of India in general and a remote South Eastern State like Odisha in particular.
With a long vision India Government is fighting COVID-19 and giving financial assistance, instructions and guidelines to fight against Corona. Odisha Government is taking various measures including shut down/lock down of entire State and localized areas.
Various measures taken by Government of Odisha are strict Lockdown, Shut Down, Random Screening & Contact Tracing, Sealing of Hotspot Zones, Dedicated Workers, Special Covid-19 Hospitals, quarantine zones, press briefing daily and giving Collector power to “Sarpanchas” in Gram Panchayats.
Odisha was the first state to announce near-total lockdown on 21 March 2020, ahead of National Lockdown-1 affected on 25 March 2020 and now demanding extension of National lockdown from May 3rd to further.
Though lock down was done, still there was constant flow of persons working in other states. Some of the Districts like Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore which are nearer Districts in north eastern parts of Odisha, closer to West Bengal were badly affected. Odisha Government would have taken massive checking in National High way and other sub roads connecting West Bengal at various points.
Persons returned from West Bengal from various sources like big containers, trucks, light motor vehicles etc without following social distance. While going to their respective native places also they did not follow social distance and came in contact with various other people.
As a whole they have contaminated other people. Some people after returning, instead of put in quarantine were playing cards in common places and engaged in social functions.
This has created lots of spreading i.e. now the three districts, Jajpur, Bhadrak and Balasore the total number of Covid-19 +ve cases are now come to 88 and Odisha total comes to 162.
State and District Administration should take necessary corrective measures to check the spreading. It is observed that social distancing is not followed at most of the weekly and daily vegetable Hats and People are gathering in front of vegetable and fish shops for purchasing.
Transport and other government guidelines are not properly executed while loading and unloading the vegetable packets and social activities.
Naveen Patnaik Government has given powers of Collector to “Sarpanchas”, which is a welcome movement to create and accommodate inflow persons in quarantine zones.
It has also made orders that, each Senior Person will get Rs 120, Junior Rs 100, 300 Rupees for sanitation equipments and 2000 rupees will be spent for cleaning, sanitation and security of the campus. Various quarantine centres are made throughout the State in war footing. It has facilitated 1500 rupees for construction workers also.