Odisha govt bans sale, use of firecrackers amid COVID-19 crisis

Considering the potentially harmful consequences of burning firecrackers amid the Covid-19 pandemic situation and approaching winters, the Government of Odisha has banned the sale and use of firecrackers across the state from November 10 to 30 in the public interest.

"Any person found violating this order shall be punished under the provision of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws," a government order said.

The people of the state burst firecrackers on the occasion of Diwali and Kartik Purnima, which falls on November 14 and 30 respectively this year.

The state government said that it has prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers during the aforementioned period in public interest. It further said that Deepavali, the festival of lights, may be celebrated in the traditional way by lighting earthen lamps (Mati Deepa/Diya), candles and other traditional lighting materials.

"It is a well-known fact that burning firecrackers releases copious amounts of harmful chemicals like nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc, which have a severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups. Such pollutants can further aggravate the health conditions of Covid-19 positive persons besides persons staying in home isolation," the Odisha government said.

"It is generally observed that elderly persons, children, persons with comorbidities and others develop respiratory problems during winter. Further, air pollution, a higher concentration of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) in the air aggravates respiratory problems," it added.

"In some parts of our country and in the world, where Covid-19 appropriate behaviours have not been strictly adhered to, the resurgence of Covid-19 infection has been witnessed. A number of countries across the world have been compelled to reimpose the lockdowns and other extreme measures to contain the resurgence and further spread of the disease. The international experience shows that the coming winter season may see the further spread of the pandemic," the government said.

The government issued instructions to the local administrations and police to take measures for the implementation of the order.

(With agency inputs)