The Odisha government on Tuesday extended the lockdown across the state till June 1 to check the Covid-19 surge.

The ongoing 14-day lockdown that started from May 5 was scheduled to end on May 19. The state has so far reported 6,33,302 Covid cases and 2,357 deaths.

While all emergency services are allowed during the lockdown, all religious, educational institutions and establishments like cinema halls, shopping malls will remain closed. People going for vaccination will not be stopped by the police enroute the vaccination centre. However, the authorities in Rourkela have begun vaccination at doorstep for the senior citizens.

Grocery and food shops in the state will remain open from 7am to 11am during the lockdown. “Street corner roadside shops, standalone shops dealing with food and essential items, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs and milk are allowed to operate on weekdays between 7am and 11am. Such shops shall maintain a minimum 30 ft shop-to-shop distance. The shopkeepers and the buyers shall mandatorily abide by the Covid safety protocols,” officials said.

Weekly and daily haat shall continue to be closed. The weekend shutdown will remain in force on Saturday and Sunday.

All government offices except those handling essential services will run with a skeletal staff of not more than 10 per cent. Private sector offices have been asked to run with not more than 33 per cent staff strength.