Odisha: Puri police adopts 3-pronged strategy to enforce Covid safety norms

BHUBANESWAR: As Puri gears up to welcome tourists following the fresh Covid unlock guidelines, the district police have identified 15 hotspots, including the beach areas, which have been opened for visitors, to conduct awareness and enforcement drives.
The government on Saturday announced access of people to the beaches in Odisha from Sunday as part of the Covid unlock guidelines for August.
“We expect more crowds, especially of tourists in Puri, as the beaches are open now. Bus stands and shopping centres are also among the 15 hotspots that we have zeroed in for stricter surveillance. We will adopt a three-pronged strategy of creating more awareness, being more persuasive and ensuring the enforcement of rules in these places,” Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh said.
The pilgrim town was out of bounds for the tourists since a week before the Rath Yatra, which started on July 12, until Niladri Bije on July 23. The district administration had banned devotees from participating in the festival owing to Covid. Hotels were also vacated in the run-up to Rath Yatra.
“We have tweaked the strategy for the enforcement of the Covid preventive measures in view of the new rules and unlock guidelines. The tourists, who are likely to flock to Puri now, will be first sensitized to the need to take safety precautions. Hoteliers have been sensitized as well,” Singh said.
The police, along with the district administration, will undertake awareness campaigns through the public address announcement systems in the 15 hotspots. The hoteliers, shopping mall owners and other stakeholders will be persuaded to ensure compliance with Covid-appropriate behaviour. Stern legal action will be taken against the violators, the police said.
“We have also asked the inspectors-in-charge of the police stations and sub-divisional police officers to ensure surveillance and compliance with rules. We appeal to everyone to strictly follow the guidelines,” Singh said.