Odisha bans gatherings during Durga Puja

Keeping in view a rise in the COVID graph after major festivals in some parts of the country, the Odisha government on Thursday prohibited gatherings during the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations and increased night curfew timings in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar by an additional two hours during the festivities. Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena said that there will be graded unlocking throughout the state from 5 AM on October 1 till 5 AM on November 1.Congregations for Durga Puja will not be allowed. It has been observed that unrestricted religious celebration by large gatherings led to a rise in infection rates in some parts of the country. "Night curfew will continue to be imposed in all urban areas from 10 PM to 5 AM, but it will be in effect from 8 PM to 5 AM in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack from October 11-20," he said.The period coincides with the Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations.