Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday announced a 14-day mandatory quarantine for people coming to Odisha from West Bengal. The order came following reports of Triple Mutant variant of COVID-19 observed in people in West Bengal and other States.
Addressing a press meet, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said that those who received two doses of vaccine and have RTPCR negative report will be allowed home quarantine for 14 days.
“Any person who has been successfully vaccinated (two doses) and produces certificate to the effect or tested Negative (-ve) in RT-PCR test (report to be produced) within 48 hours of entering Odisha, may be allowed home quarantine for 14 days. However, in case of non-compliance of the Covid protocols and Home quarantine guidelines issued by union health ministry and Odisha health department, such persons shall be quarantined in institutional facility for fourteen (14) days,” read an order issued by the Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha.
As per the SRC order, the Collectors of Balasore and Mayurbhanj have been directed to put Border Check Posts (BCP) on all inter-State roads (NH, State roads and local roads) along West Bengal border with immediate effect.
The District Administrations have been asked to ensure border tracking for all the major and minor entry points for incoming people from State of West Bengal adjoining their districts. They have been asked to make adequate police arrangement for such tracking.
However, people travelling from West Bengal to other States through Odisha will be allowed. The authorities have been told not to disembark them from the vehicle en-route inside the State, the SRC said.
“Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against in accordance with the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and Regulations issued thereunder besides taking legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions as applicable,” the Odisha SRC added.
