The State Government has declared total lockdown in all the 30 districts from March 24 midnight to March 29 midnight.

State Government Chief Spokesperson Subroto Bagchi informed the Press on COVID-19 on Tuesday that ‘the Government has been taking proactive steps to contain the further spread of the virus.

In the first phase, the Government had declared lockdown in five coastal districts on March 21 keeping in view the number of foreign returnees to these districts. Further, on Monday, the Government declared another nine districts to be included in lockdown.

A videoconference was held on Tuesday by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy with all district Collectors in which he instructed them to take prompt necessary steps to ensure lockdown.

The hostels under the ST & SC Development Department have been closed and the inmates would be handed over to their parents/guardians with their scholarship money. The Collectors have been instructed to monitor their safe return.

Essential service establishments such as hospitals, clinics, patho labs, medicine stores shall remain open while police, health, electricity, water supply, municipal service and agencies working for COVID-19 shall also continue during the lockdown period.

Banks, ATMs and the petrol pumps shall remain open during the period. Banks have been told to manage offices with 10% employees with guidance of the Collectors. Banks have already been instructed to maintain enough cash in their ATMs.

Shops of essential goods such as fruits, milk, bread, biscuits, bakery, grocery, vegetables, fish and meat will remain open.