A video regarding the incident went viral in social media.
(Photo: India Today)Days after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed the Director-General of Police (DGP) to ensure strict adherence to Covid-19 guidelines in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, an incident of social distancing violation emerged from Balasore district.Amidst the growing rise in coronavirus cases in the state, locals in Baliapal area of Balasore district were spotted blatantly flouting Covid-19 norms and putting personal safety at risk.(Photo: India Today)The incident occurred reportedly during the idol immersion procession of Lord Vishwakarma in Choumukha and Dogara villages under Baliapal police station limits.
In the video which has surfaced online, the locals are seen dancing to live music without maintaining social distancing or wearing face masks.Police sources revealed that the villagers had also not taken the necessary permission to conduct the social gathering, which is mandatory under unlock guidelines.Recently, while reviewing the Covid-19 management in the state, the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had said, While I get good feedback about enforcement activities throughout the state, the feedback regarding Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate area is not encouraging.This comes on a day when Odisha recorded its highest single-day spike of 4,270 coronavirus cases with Covid hotspot of Khurda registering 876 cases.