Odisha has become the first Indian state to extend the lockdown period, until April 30, 2020, to curb the rising number of Covid-19 cases in India.
Office of the Chief Minister, Odisha tweeted:
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s government has also stated that schools and colleges in the east Indian state will be closed until June 17, 2020. A request has also been made to not start rail and air service during this period.
Meanwhile, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) will ensure employment opportunities for the agriculture as well as the underprivileged segment of the region, keeping in the mind the aspect of social distancing.
Furthermore, 100,000 immediate testing facilities will be developed in the state soon. A dedicated Covid-19 telemedicine helpline-14410 has also been generated to provide medical support to potential Covid-19 cases in Odisha.
Patnaik tweeted:
As of now, India has recorded 5,734 confirmed cases, 473 recoveries and 166 deaths.
