bhubaneswar lockdown returns to the state from wednesday as the government tries every effort to control the rampaging second wave of covid19 that has unleashed the worst crisis for mankindthe 15day lockdown to last till may 19 for now aims to bring the surge under control amid the spectre of 45 deaths in the last four days and active positive cases climbing to 67384 in the past few daysthe focus is back on the police who are ready for massive enforcement to make the lockdown effectivewe will enforce the lockdown and covid safety protocols strictly from may 5 to 19 only those essential and emergency activities that have been exempted will be allowed to operate during this period checkpoints have been set up across the state for proper enforcement additional director general of police law and order yeshwant jethwa saidthe government said covid vaccination drives would continue unhindered during the lockdown on all days except sundaysoperation of health services financial sector public utilities and some selected commercial activities will remain unaffectedamid panic buying among people in the runup to the lockdown the government reiterated that shops dealing with essential commodities including vegetables grocery milk fish meat and eggs would remain open between monday and friday from 6 am to 12 pm such shops however would remain closed during the weekend shutdowndirector general of police abhay had earlier issued an order to all police stations and asked them to take steps to avoid rush of people at grocery vegetable and liquor shops as well as bus stands and railway stations ahead of the lockdown however blatant violations of covidsafety protocols were seen at those shops and market places on tuesday police said they have imposed fines on several violators and sealed many shops for flouting normsall religious places public transport educational training coaching institutes except those allowed by the government would be shut during the lockdownwe have formed teams to regularly inspect cinema halls gyms malls market complexes sports complexes swimming pools parks bars salon spa and beauty parlours that are supposed to remain closed during the lockdown all religious social political sports entertainment academic and cultural functions will remain suspended during the lockdown another police officer saidrestaurants and eateries have been permitted to offer home delivery and takeaways to ensure that livelihood and economic activities are not affected during the lockdown the government has decided to allow all agricultural and horticultural activities fisheries plantations animal husbandry industries and industrial establishments and construction activities in the state