Business establishments to be closed across Odisha after 2 PM till May 15

The Odisha Byabasayi Mahasangh, on Friday decided to close the shops across the state from 2 PM from Monday next.

Mahasangh Secretary Sudhakar Panda  said the decision was taken at an urgent meeting in view of  covid  situation  prevailing  in the state.

Mr Panda said the shops will remain  open  from 7 AM to 2 PM daily  till May 15 and  will be closed  after 2PM.

Earlier in many districts in the state the local  trader associations  decided to curtail the  business hours to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The decision of the  Traders Association was welcomed  by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

Meanwhile, the Odisha High Court today advanced the summer vacation of the subordinate courts. The summer vacation which was scheduled to begin from May 24 will now start from May 3  and will continue till June 5 next.

The office of the Odisha Human Rights Commission will also remain closed from May 3 to May 13 in view of sudden rise in covid 19 infection  cases in the state  capital.

OHRC office sources said the  decision to close down  the office was taken following a sudden rise in Covid 19 infection cases  and recent death of officials working in offices in Toshali Bhawan,housing the  OHRC office.

The employees of the OHRC  shall be available to attend any office work as and when required  on short notices during the period and not leave the headquarter without prior permission of the authority.

During the period only urgent cases shall be taken up for hearing.

The Nandankanan Zoo authority today announced that the Zoo and the botanical garden will remain closed  for the visitors from May 1 to 15next..