The Odisha government has prohibited sale and use of firecrackers in all parts of the state from November 10 to 30.

The special relief commissioner in an order on Tuesday said, “The technical expert committee has recommended for the prohibition of burning of fire crackers to protect the vulnerable groups like elderly, children, persons with comorbidities and others.”

He said that any person found violating the order will be punished as per the law.

“It is a well-known fact that burning of the firecrackers releases copious amounts of harmful chemicals like nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc, which have 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,” he said.

He said that in some parts of India and other parts of the world, where Covid-19 appropriate behaviour has not been strictly adhered to, the resurgence of the infection had been witnessed.

However, he said Diwali, which falls on November 14, may be celebrated by lighting earthen lamps, candles and other traditional materials.