Odisha govt declares coronavirus state disaster, schools shut till March 31

As part of its preventive measures against coronavirus, the Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha on Friday (March 13) declared the disease as a “state disaster” and allocated ₹200 crore to combat it.

The state hasn’t reported any cases of coronavirus as yet.

As per an official statement by the government, the emergency was declared under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005.

The government as part of its fresh advisory also directed all schools, movie theatres, gyms and swimming pools to be closed till March 31 to avoid the spread of the infection. Local authorities have also been asked to restrict social gatherings, religious functions and marriages.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting, headed by Chief Minister Patnaik on Friday.

The government directive also warns public against spitting in public and follow due etiquette while coughing or sneezing, reports said.

According to reports, district authorities including collectors and municipal commissioners have also been authorised to make emergency procurement of necessary drugs, consumables and equipment to mitigate the disease.

The Odisha government’s decision comes two days after the World Health Organisation declared coronavirus a global pandemic. The disease has affected more than 1,21,000 people globally in a period of three months. India which has 73 confirmed cases of coronavirus so far, reported its first death, a 76-year-old man from Karnataka, on Thursday.