Covid-19 Surge: Go Home, Asks BMC To Students In Govt And Residential Colleges

Bhubaneswar: Worried about the increasing instances of Covid-19 spread in residential colleges in the State capital, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday issued an advisory for the government and the private college authorities directing students to vacate hostels and go back to their homes.

“Covid-19 is spreading fast among the students staying in hostels and residential colleges. Hence, authorities of both the government and residential educational institutions have been directed to ensure that students vacate the hostels as soon as possible. The students, whose examinations have been conducted, should return home immediately. The advisory will be strictly enforced in all educational institutions including government college hostels,” said BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary.

While the resurgence in Covid-19 cases in the State capital has led to apprehension of night curfew and lockdown among the public, Chaudhary clarified that nothing of that sort is on the cards for the time being.

“We are not planning any night curfew, shutdown or lockdown for the time being. Rather, we are focusing more on strict enforcement of Covid-19 norms and generating awareness to curb the transmission of the virus,” said Chaudhary.

Meanwhile, the number of beds at Covid-19 designated hospitals currently functioning in Bhubaneswar have been increased.

Earlier yesterday, BMC and BDA had restricted public access to their offices from April 12- 30.

The Government of Odisha had also issued an advisory on the same day for the strict implementation of Covid-19 appropriate protocols in all government offices in the State.

According to the advisory, public access to government offices and conduct of meeting will be restricted in view of the resurgence in Covid-19 in the State.