Following detection of some Covid-19 positive cases, half of the Jharsuguda Municipality area was sealed on Wednesday.
Beheramal, Sarbahal, Purunabasti and Ektali which come in two-and-a half-km radius have been declared as as containment zones.People residing in these areas are not allowed to step out of their houses. Medical emergency has been exempted from the restrictions.
Bamboo barricades have been erected by the municipality and traffic police at various places to block movement of vehicles. The factory workers returning to their homes in the evening were astonished to see these obstructions in front of their homes.
People of the Sarbahal area have expressed resentment saying that they were not informed prior to the sealing of the area.However, Covid Magistrate Golak Bihari Mangaraj refuted the charge and requested people to cooperate with the district administration in containing spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, the Jharsuguda Chamber of Commerce and Industries has proposed to the district Collector for complete shutdown of Jharsuguda for seven days The number of Covid-19 positive cases in the district rose 3,778 with 53 cases detected during the last 24 hours. So far, 3,097 have recovered and 18 died.