The Odisha government on Saturday allowed all jatras, open-air theatres and other cultural platforms to perform as the cases of Covid have declined in the state. The state has only 2,203 active Covid cases at present.

The special relief commissioner (SRC) said in a notification on Saturday: “Cultural gatherings, programmes including melodies, orchestra, jatra, opera, dances — classical, folk and other permitted dance forms, cultural competitions, open air theatres, drama, street plays and other such performances shall be allowed to open with due compliance to Covid-19 protocols.”

The notification added: “Keeping the size of the ground, space in view, appropriate number of persons (subjected to a ceiling of 2,000 persons) will be allowed ensuring maintenance of prescribed physical distancing norm — maintaining a distance of 6 feet from each other and seating arrangement shall be made accordingly.”

Jatra artistes had approached the state government seeking the lifting of the bar.