Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

Bhubaneswar: Concerned over the sudden surge in Covid-19 cases across Odisha, the State government is getting well prepared to deal with the unprecedented situation and has made 14-day quarantine mandatory for Kumbh Mela returnees.

“The whole country is witnessing a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases. Spurt in the number of cases in the neighbouring states specially Chhattisgarh is affecting the border districts of Odisha,” said Director of public health Niranjan Mishra.

“As Kumbh Mela has ended, it is expected that many participants will return to the State and it may worsen the situation. A list of the returnees has been prepared and it has been sent to all the district administrations. All the returnees have to stay in compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Even the quarantine period is mandatory for the returnees with Covid-19 negative certificates,” said Mishra.

Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra and Gujarat are also on a rising curve.

“If situation gets out of control in these states, the migratory Odias working there will be forced to return to the State. Odisha Government is preparing a master plan to deal with any kind of eventualities,” added Mishra.

(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)

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