Odisha DGP asks cops not to insist on pass for health workers

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of coronavirus outbreak, the entire state is under lockdown and the movement of people have been restricted. Odisha DGP Abhay today instructed the department officials to allow movement of doctors, nurses and other health personnel during lockdown based on their Identity Card till March 27.

In a letter, the DGP asked SPs/DCPs/DIGs/IGs of all the districts and CP of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar to allow free commuting of health personnel including doctors, nurses of both government and private hospitals during the lockdown.

“Doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel are crucial for society in general, more so in current scenario. We are working to develop a web-based system of passes for all exempted category,” read the letter.

“The personnel should be allowed to move during lockdown till March 27 in their vehicles on showing their identity card which has name, designation and photograph, issued by the Government or Private Hospital,” the letter further added.

Notably, the Odisha government has extended the lockdown to all 30 districts across the state to fight COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Commissionerate Police cancelled issuing passes after huge crowds were seen in front of the police stations in Bhubaneswar.

“We are cancelling process of issuing passes to emergency workers as too many people are congregating and social distance cannot be maintained. Please use your I-Card for the moment. We will introduce an IT Platform by tomorrow to automate the process of issue of vehicle passes,” tweeted Police Sudhanshu Sarangi.

“Those who need to travel due to medical or other emergencies will be allowed if there is a patient or medical paper,” said the tweet.

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