Bhubaneswar: As Cyclone Yaas comes closer to make a likely landfall in Balasore district, the Odisha government has suspended the ongoing COVID vaccination, testing and door to door survey in three sensitive districts from May 25 to 27.
As per a letter issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department on Monday, the three districts include Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj which are likely to face the brunt of the cyclone.
“In view of the disruption expected to be caused by the upcoming Cyclone Yaas, it is hereby instructed that the ongoing activities of Covid-19 testing, Covid-19 Vaccination and door to door Covid -19 survey will remain suspended in Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhani districts from May 25 to 27,” the letter read.
The letter further read, “The Collectors of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Keonihar can decide on suspension of these activities under their jurisdiction keeping the Cyclone in mind.”
It is worthwhile to mention here that, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday said the State is facing two major threats- Covid-19 and cyclone 'Yaas'- and sought full cooperation of all to tackle the twin challenges.
Addressing the people of the State through a video message ahead of impending cyclone, Patnaik appealed all to be more careful in view of Covid-19 second wave and wear double masks.
The Extremely Severe Cyclone is expected to make landfall near North Odisha and West Bengal on the noon of May 26.