Weekend shutdown, night curfew all but forgotten

BHUBANESWAR: With scant regard for Covid rules almost everywhere, people in Odisha’s towns and cities seem to have all but forgotten the weekend shutdown and night curfew.
The state continues to se more than 2,000 cases ever day. It had taken three weeks for the infections to come down to 2,000 from 3,000.
While the slow pace of decline has left the healthcare experts baffled, the poor enforcement of weekend shutdown (now applicable in the twin cities only) and night curfew has raised many eyebrows in the business community.
The traders feel it is better to officially announce the resumption of all commercial activities rather thanmake do with poor enforcement.
“We don’t understand the approach of the government. There is no sign of a let-up in the cases, while the economic activities have come to a standstill. Despite the shutdown and curfew, everybody now seems to have a reason to move about. What is the point of restrictions then. The government should rather allow shops to open. We had pressed for allowing the shops tio remain open until 7 pm every day and complete lifting of the weekend shutdown,” said Sudhakar Panda, president, Odisha Byabasayi Mahasangha.
The state’s TPR again rose beyond three per cent (3.10%) with the results of 2,182 from among the 20,244 samples returning positive on Saturday. The daily cases increased by 112 compared to a day earlier. The state confirmed 67 more Covid deaths taking the toll to 4,992. Khurda on Saturday reported 510 new cases with neighbour Cuttack adding 308 new infections.