Min to suggest Centre for COVID-19 test of Odisha labourers stranded in other states

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government will suggest the Centre for conducting COVID-19 test of migrant labourers hailing from the state who are currently stranded in other parts of the country due to nationwide lockdown for coronavirus outbreak, informed Health Minister Naba Kisore Das today.

“I have a video conferencing meeting with the Union Health Minister tomorrow. I will suggest him to carry out COVID-19 test of migrant labourers of Odisha stranded in other states before their arrival to the state post completion of lockdown period,” the minister said after participating in the Empowered Group of Ministers meeting held today through videoconferencing.

The Odisha government is expecting that nearly 5 lakh people are likely to return to the state from other states after COVID-19 lockdown is lifted, said an official.

The state government is developing a dedicated online portal, through which they can register to return to the state. This will begin on April 24, said Panchayati Raj secretary D.K. Singh.

Without registration on the government portal, no person will be allowed to return to the state.The returnees will be mandatorily quarantined for 14 days. They can’t go to home directly, he said, adding that around 7,000 temporary medical camps have been set up at panchayats.