Coronavirus scare: Odisha EC postpones panchayat bypolls

The State Election Commission of Odisha on Monday postponed the March 24 panchayat bypolls after the state reported its first case of novel coronavirus.

The authorities ordered closure of all government and private schools with immediate effect amid the growing coronavirus threat, an official said.

A notification, issued by the SEC, said that the bypolls to two zilla parishad seats, six sarpanches, eight panchayat samiti seats and 84 wards have been postponed until further orders.

Another notification by the school and mass education department said that the ongoing annual examination of class 12 students and the evaluation of the answer sheets of class X students will continue as per schedule.

The housing and urban development department asked authorities of all the local bodies to keep community centres, cyclone shelters or any other buildings ready with electricity and water supply facility to quarantine people.

State commerce and transport minister Padmanabha Behera said advisories have been issued to passengers and drivers and staff of both the government and private buses will have to wear masks.

The government, through public announcement system, asked people not to gather in sea beach and keep the environment clean.

The Puri district administration started frisking vehicles and screening passengers at Pipili entry point.

Popular tourist destinations including Sun Temple in Konark and Shanti Stupa (peace pagoda) at Dhauli in Bhubaneswar were shut for visitors as a precautionary measure.

Restrictions have also been imposed on devotees in Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Shree Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar among other places of warship.

This apart, restrictions have been imposed on conduct of festivals like Haripur Dola Ustav, 'Baruni Snan' and other festivals.

Representative Image