By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, April 3, 2020: Even as three more COVID-19 positive cases have been identified in Odisha on Friday taking the total number of positive cases to nine, the Odisha government has imposed complete ‘shut down’ Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Bhadrak cities for 48 hours beginning at 8 PM.

Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik in an appeal to the people said that the complete shutdown was necessary for tracing people who came in contact with COVID-19 positive patients to check community transmission of the deadly virus. “We all have to sacrifice a little bit for the welfare of family and friends by observing the complete shutdown in true spirit”, Patnaik remarked.

The three persons of Bomikhal, Bhubaneswar have been tested positive for COVID-19.

“Three persons of Bomikhal, Bhubaneswar test positive for COVID-19. Total number of positive cases in the State goes upto 9 now,” tweeted the health department.

Out of the nine positive cases, two have been cured while seven are active cases.

No groceries, no vegetable or dairy shops, no deliveries, no passes will be allowed, even pharmacies will be limited. This is essentially a curfew of 48 hours, director general of police Abhay said addressing media persons.

“It’s a mere 48 hours, so do not panic. I do not want to see thousands of people trying to buy groceries,” he added.

Chief secretary Asit Tripathy admitted that the authorities fear community transmission and hence had to take surveillance to the next step. “Taking advantage of this 48 hours shut down – from Friday 8 pm to Sunday 8 pm — tracing as per WHO protocols will be carried out by administrative agencies.”

During the next two days, violators will be picked up and placed in government quarantine facilities for 14 days and penal provisions under Disaster Management Act will also be invoked, added Tripathy.

Special “shutdown” passes will be granted to a more select set of essential service providers, such as doctors for the next two days.

However, goods vehicles plying through national highways, from Khurda to Cuttack or the one passing through Bhadrak will be allowed to pass through.