Bhubaneswar: Congregation in public places including hotels, restaurants, clubs, parks, convention halls, kalyan mandaps for Zero Night Celebration, Welcome to New Year and similar other functions on 31st December, 2020 and 1st January, 2021 shall remain prohibited throughout the State, an order issued by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy today stated.
The State is passing through a critical stage of COVID-19 pandemic and it is necessary to strictly adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols for containment of spread of the infection, the order read.
The State Government have specifically directed that large social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural & religious functions and other gatherings will remain prohibited in the State till December 31, 2020.
In view of the new variant of SARS- CoV 2 virus detected which is spreading and growing rapidly in United Kingdom (UK), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued SOP dated 22nd December, 2020 for stringent Epidemiological Surveillance and Response.
“Usually people in large number congregate in hotels, restaurants, clubs, parks and other public places on 31st December and 1st January for Zero Night Celebration/ Welcome to New Year/ similar function on the eve of new year. Such congregations have large potential for spread of COVID-19 infections.”
Considering the above, the State Government have directed in public interest to prohibit such activities on 31st December, 2020 and 1 January, 2021. Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws, the order further stated.
