Lakhs of Odisha people standard in different parts of the country due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown would remain in 14-day quarantine on their return to villages after May 3, the day when the lockdown would come to an end.
The State Government has made this decision keeping in view the safety of the State's 4.5 crore people as COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease.
Anyone, be it students, professionals, pilgrims, patients or migrant workers, all have to undergo a 14-day quarantine with financial incentives, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
On completion of the quarantine, Rs 2,000 would be given as incentive to each quarantined. The Chief Minister said this exercise demands a decentralised approach and every gram panchayat would have a registration facility to facilitate the return of people. The CM also said Odisha would hold talks with the Central and other State Governments to ensure safe return of people standard in other places.
“One of the key factors in controlling the spread (of COVID) in Odisha was mandatory registration of all foreign returnees and placing them in compulsory quarantine.” said the CM.
For mandatory registration of the returnees and for effective management of COVID-19, Sarpanchs have been given the powers of a district Collector, he added.