Maintain social distancing or face criminal action: Patnaik talks tough

Bhubaneswar, Apr 5 () Hours after Odisha reported18 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, Naveen Patnaik warned peopleof the state to strictly adhere to social distancing norms orface "criminal action".

The total number of coronavirus cases in Odisha shotup to 39 with Sunday's additions -- all from Bhubaneswar.

"There will be zero tolerance on violation of socialdistancing. Any violation of social distancing will attractcriminal action," Patnaik said.

"The concerned shop/markets will be sealed. Earnestrequest to cooperate in our fight against coronavirus," hewrote on Twitter.

The chief minister, however, asked people not to panicas the new COVID-19 cases were reported from a contained areain the state capital.

"People need not panic. It's in a contained area of#Bhubaneswar with known contact. Sincere appeal please don'tventure out and respect lockdown. Police will take very toughaction on violators," he added.

Of the 39 COVID-19 cases in the state, 32 are fromBhubaneswar. SKNRBT RBT