Odisha govt extends lockdown till April 30

Odisha has become the first state to extend the already existing lockdown in the state. In a video statement, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced that the state will now be under lockdown till April 30.

“During ongoing lockdown period amid COVID-19 crisis, your discipline and sacrifice has provided us the strength to fight COVID-19,” said Patnaik.

“At this crucial juncture, one has to decide between protecting the lives of people and economic activity. We will recommend to Government of India to extend the national lockdown up to April 30. In addition to this, we will also request the Union Government not to start airline and railway services till April 30,” said an official statement issued by the state government.

Patnaik also ensured the people of Odisha that all essential services will be operational during the lockdown and that the state is doing all it can to contain the spread of the virus.

Odisha currently has 42 confirmed cases of coronavirus, of which two have recovered and one deceased victim.