Bhubaneswar: The surge in Covid-19 cases, including a few from educational institutions, has now come as a major challenge for the authorities of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC). Though there has been a rise in the number of daily cases in the city, there has not been any local transmission, said BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary on Friday.
Speaking to reporters, Chaudhary informed that special surveillance and other enforcement activities are currently underway to contain the further spread of Covid-19 in the Capital City.
“A guideline is being issued to ensure that the travellers coming to Bhubaneswar from several other States (Red Flag states) with high Covid case load undergo mandatory testing or carry Covid-19 negative report with them,” said Chaudhary.
The BMC Commissioner said that it will be mandatory for people coming from other States to carry a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours at the airport here. Such guidelines will be issued soon, he added.
Senior BMC officials informed that all the enforcement activities in the city will be carried out as per the guidelines issued by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).
It is pertinent to mention here that already the BMC had issued special guidelines for Dola Purnima and Holi and imposed certain restrictions recently as a precautionary measure.
“Being a Capital City, the movement of people from other districts as well as other States is high. There are chances that the Covid-19 cases will be on high side. However, we are trying to follow all the guidelines issued by the State government and increasing testing in the city apart from stringent enforcement,” Chaudhary added.
BMC officials said already special measures are being taken to carry out Covid-19 vaccination of 45 years and above from April 1, 2021.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)