Odisha Chief Secretary warned the migrant workers to strictly adhere to quarantine protocols

Bhubaneswar:3/5/20: Odisha Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy today warned the migrant workers returning to the state to strictly adhere to quarantine protocols and any violation would lead to their arrest.

Addressing a scheduled press meet Geeta Govinda Sadan here this evening, the Chief Secretary said, “Returnees, who are creating nuisance & escaping from quarantine centres, will be kept at quarantine centres away from their respective districts.”

“Such violators will be arrested and their quarantine period will be also extended,” Tripathy said, adding that no incentive will be paid for quarantine violation.

In the last two months, we have been able to contain COVID19 spread in Odisha. A lot of frontline workers are working 24/7 across the State and we don’t want to comprise it at any level, said the Odisha Chief Secretary.

He made it clear that the migrants willing to return to Odisha, during registration, voluntarily agree for quarantine and the State Government will not compromise on this. Any violators will be arrested as per the Epidemic Act and will lose the incentive.

Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy requested the migrants, coming via buses, to avoid overcrowding and maintain social distancing during travel. “Buses must have a valid pass, without which entry into the State borders will be denied. Overcrowded buses will also be denied entry,” added the Chief Secretary.

Further, Tripathy asked respective Collectors and Sarpanches to remain vigilant and ensure that guidelines are properly followed.