On Monday, the Odisha government decided to make the wearing of face masks in all health institutions mandatory due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country and the state. The Directorate of Public Health, Odisha, issued an order directing all the health authorities, medical colleges, and hospitals in the state to use face masks to avoid spreading the virus.

The official order stated that in light of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country and Odisha, it has been decided to enforce the use of masks in all health institutions in the state as part of adopting COVID-appropriate behavior in health institutions. Furthermore, the directive added that during duty hours, all healthcare practitioners, authorities, and others present in meetings or assemblies, particularly in closed rooms, must wear masks.

Additionally, the alert also noted that persons working in clinical labs and providing other support services in the hospital environment, as well as those visiting locations with a high risk of transmission, should wear face masks.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/amid-rising-covid-19-cases-odisha-govt-makes-wearing-face-masks-mandatory-in-healthcare-facilities/99750054 )