BJD reacts to BJP’s demand for COVID-19 testing of all migrant workers

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Jun 6, 2020 at 5:39 PM

Bhubaneswar: Countering BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan’s statement on COVID-19 testing of all migrants returning to Odisha, ruling BJD said the saffron party should stop playing cheap politics during these testing times.

In his reaction, BJD Spokesperson Dr Sasmit Patra said the situation is under control in Odisha and COVID-19 testing is being conducted as per ICMR guidelines. The BJP should follow the guidelines of its own Government instead of playing cheap politics during this crisis, he added.

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“BJP should at least believe the guidelines laid down by their party Government, the Health Ministry and the ICMR. The guidelines state that testing of symptomatic persons should only be done. The situation in Odisha is under control and testing is being done as per ICMR guidelines.” Patra said.

Stating that around 1 crore migrants have returned to BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, Patra said BJP and its Spokespersons do not have the moral courage to ask their party CMs in those states to undertake 100 % testing of all migrants.

“Why these double standards? When about 30-40 lakh tests have so far been done in India, do the BJP-ruled states have the capacity to test close to one crore migrant returnee?,” the BJD Spokesperson questioned.

Earlier in the day, Harichandan alleged that the Odisha Government not is conducting test of all migrants returning to the state using ICMR guidelines as an excuse. The ICMR guidelines never say that state Government cannot conduct more number of COVID-19 tests.

“Home quarantine is not possible in rural area. Each and every migrant returning to the state should undergo COVID-19 and allowed to go back to their respective houses only after being tested negative for the virus. Local contacts are increasing in the list of positive cases in the state and the Government is responsible for it,” the BJP leader stated. He also alleged corruption in procurement of health kits and other COVID-19 equipment.