Odisha allows all govt offices to operate with full quota of staff from Tuesday

BHUBANESWAR: From Tuesday, government offices will start operating with full quota of employees while there will be almost no restriction on movement of vehicles within Odisha as the state came out with its own guidelines for lockdown 4.0, which will be in effect till the end of the month.
Unlike in earlier lockdowns when only employees of certain critical and semi-critical departments were asked to come for work, and that too by rotation, now everybody will have to report for work. However, those showing symptoms of influenza or severe acquired respiratory syndromes and those staying in containment zones have been asked to stay away from office.
“Employees who are unwell will have to apply for leave while those in containment zones have to report to their authorities,” a government order stated.
Chief secretary Asit Tripathy said there will be very limited restrictions during the present lockdown except in containment zones. “However, people have to abide by social distancing norms. The government will strictly enforce rules regarding masks and ban on spitting in public places,” Tripathy said.
As per the government order, sports complexes and stadiums can open for sportspersons, but not visitors. Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar will open for training of athletes.
Inter-state movement of private vehicles, taxis, cabs and buses will be allowed with mutual consent with other states. Intra-state movement of vehicles will be allowed following social distancing norms, the government order stated.
Temporary medical centres, Covid care centres and Covid hospitals will continue to be considered containment zones and would remain out of bound for unauthorised people.
In a key change in division of zones as part of the containment strategy, panchayats will be the administrative units while deciding red, yellow or green zones depending on the positive cases, unlike districts in the earlier lockdowns. “The district collectors and municipal commissioners will decide on such zones in localities under their jurisdictions,” the chief secretary added.
While educational institutions will remain closed, the government will promote distance and online learning. Cinemas and malls will continue to stay closed. Similarly, religious places will remain out of bounds for devotees. Restaurants will remain closed for dining but can deliver takeaways while standalone shops can stay open except in containment zones.
As far as liquor shops are concerned, the government has not yet taken a decision on reopening them, but sources said it is not in a hurry. “The government may take a call after the cyclone,” a senior government official said.