States »EasPosted at: Apr 9 2021 7:25PM

Naveen calls for 14-day masks campaign

Bhubaneswar, Apr 9 (UNI) Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to people to join a fourteen-day-long mask campaign beginning on Friday to check the spread of COVID-19 virus in Odisha
Addressing the people of the state, Mr Patnaik urged them to take a pledge to wear masks properly and not just hang it on their neck to prevent the transmission of Coronavirus.
The Chief Minister said “we can beat Corona if we wear the mask which should cover the nose chin and the mouth and never step out of home without a masks”.
He appealed to mothers in the house to ensure that the family members wear masks properly while moving out.
"If mothers are alert Corona could never make an entry into their house", Mr Patnaik remarked
The Chief Minister said the government is keeping a watch outside and appealed to the mothers to keep a vigil at home.
Stating that why should the entire society would face a lock down like situation for the negligence of a few people, Mr Patnaik directed the Police administration to collect fines from people roaming in public places without wearing the masks properly.
The government,he said, has taken a decision to double the fine amount for not wearing the masks properly in a bid to fight against coronavirus.
Mask is now the most important shield against corona. All people including those who have been inoculated and those who have not should wear masks,he said adding only then we could contain the transmission of Corona without imposing a lock down and defeat the negative impact of lockdown.
The Chief Minister said several states have declared lockdown, shutdown and night curfew. Odisha is also witnessing a surge in cases which could be contained if “we follow the safety protocols and use a mask,” Mr Patnaik said.
Now the second wave of corona is on. In some countries the third wave has already started. Nobody knows how many corona waves we have to face.
But if we make a small change in our life style and wear mask then we could protect ourselves from corona without lock down, Mr Patnaik said.
The Chief Minister said the state had in the past ha taken a number of harsh decisions and imposed shutdowns and lockdowns frequently. It had a serious impact on the poor and seriously affected social and economic life of the people.
Now the second wave is on an it is spreading fast. In many states lock down, shutdown and night curfew has already been imposed
But, he said “ if we obey the Covid guidelines and wear mask properly then we could counter Corona without lockdown.
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