Berhampur: After 12 persons engaged in different TMCs in Ganjam district tested positive for COVID-19, the district authorities declared 19 villages as the containment and buffer zones yesterday.

The decision was taken by Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange as part of preventive measure to contain spread of deadly infections in the villages of Badapalli Gram Panchayat (GP) under Khallikote Block.

The Collector declared 9 villages as the containment zone. The villages included Ghodapada, Sialliapata, Kurlmpur, Gundripalli, Badapalli, Sanabala, Nuapalli, Chhakasing and Devijhara.

As per the order, the movement of people inside, to and from containment zone has been strictly prohibited.

The district administration declared 10 villages included Mareinuagaon, Nalasingh, Khasula, Sorisapataganjara, Badapala, B.Bhallapadar, P.Balarampur, Kharipalli, Kiapalli, Kumarsingh in Badapalli GP under Khallikote block as the buffer zone.

The movement of people in buffer zone is allowed only for emergency services.

The Khalikote IIC has been directed to create a temporary check post at every entry point of Badapalli GP and to regulate the entry and exit from the containment zone.

All the vehicular movement, movement of public transport, and personnel movement will be stopped barring extremely urgent medical cases with permission of undersigned.

All inhabitants within the containment and buffer zone shall strictly remain in home. All the shopping establishments whatsoever nature shall be closed immediately. The supply of essential and medical requirements will be ensured through various teams under the Sub-Collector, Chatrapur.

All the government and private institutions located within the boundary of containment zone and buffer zone are hereby closed herewith.

The CDM and PHO, Ganjam, Berhampur have been directed to complete house to house screening, swab collection of active contacts and shifting of positive patients immediately.