nThe lockdown in Balodabazar district will end on Wednesday while Balod will open on October 1, an official press release said on Tuesday.

The lockdown in Balodabazar district was imposed on September 21 and it was to end on September 28.

Likewise, Balod had gone on lockdown on September 22 and this will end on September 30 night. So, the district will be back in business from October 1.

A press release issued by the administration said that after reviewing the results it was noted that lockdown is not a permanent solution to Covid infection. Physical distancing, wearing mask, washing hands and sanitizing are much effective against coronavirus, it said.

Even after the lockdown, several restrictions will remain.

Shops and commercial places will not function after 8 pm; petrol pumps and medical shops will function as they were; restaurants will offer only take away and home delivery and only till 10:00 pm; social distancing and mask will be followed in offices and hand washing will be mandatory, the press release said.

If any office is found violating these norms, then its head will be held responsible and he or she will have to pay penalty.

Failure to cover face in public place will attract a penalty of Rs 100, violating home quarantine will attract a penalty of Rs 1,000 and people spitting in the open will also pay a fine of Rs 100, the press release said.

A fine of Rs 200 will be charged from business owners if physical distancing is violated in business places.

Failure to pay fine or    repetition of violation would result in FIR and even closure of shops for 15 days.