COVID-19: Odisha issues protocol for vehicles carrying returnees from other states

Bhubaneswar: In view of a large number of returnees alighting at various places on their own choice from buses posing a greater risk to public health and safety amid rapid spread of COVID-19 in Odisha, the State Government has issued a protocol for transport of returnees from border check points to destination districts.

As per the protocol by the government, no bus or vehicle will be allowed to board or alight any returnee enroute to the destination districts from the border check points.

In any case of violation, the vehicle and the driver must be detained for further investigation and action be taken against them as per law, a notification issued by the Special Relief Commissioner stated.

Meanwhile, the State Government has issued a revised standard operating procedure (SOP) for border check point operations to avoid congestion.

As per the SOP, the registration of returnees to Odisha travelling in buses may not be insisted upon at the border check points. However, the registration of vehicle with details of driver, number of passengers and destination districts is mandatory.

The vehicle entry pass as per prescribed format will be printed in duplicate. The first copy will be affixed on the widescreen of the vehicle and second copy will be handed over to the driver with an instruction to report to the destination district reception centre.

The move came after the authorities observed that registration of returnees, who have not pre-registered, caused congestion at the border check points.

As per the order of Special Relief Commissioner dated May 2, all the passengers will be stamped on their right inner forearm at the border check point.

The reception centre at the destination district will verify the number of passengers arrived in the place, the details mentioned in the second copy of the vehicle pass provided by the driver.

In case of any discrepancy in the number of people, the vehicle and driver will be detained for further investigation and action will be taken as per law, the order stated.