Bhubaneswar, April 22: The State government today made 14-day quarantine mandatory for West Bengal returnees. This was informed by Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra.

Mahapatra said that the decision was taken as the triple-mutant ‘Bengal strain’ is considered more infective. “We have asked district administration of Balasore and Mayurbhanj to seal the border and keep a close tab on Bengal returnees. Check posts will be set up at all roads connecting Bengal to Odisha. We will also identify people returning from Bengal,” said Mahapatra.

People travelling from West Bengal to other States through Odisha will be allowed without disembarking from the vehicle en-route inside Odisha.

All passengers coming from West Bengal alighting at airports of Bhubaneswarand Jharsuguda will be mandatorily subjected to institutional quarantine/ paid quarantine for 14 days at facilities identified /ordered by District Magistrate/ Municipal Commissioner or any officer duly authorised on his/her behalf.

“Any person who has been successfully vaccinated (two doses) and produces certificate to the effect or tested Negative (-ve) in RTPCR test (report to be produced) within 48 hours of entering Odisha, may be allowed home quarantine for t4 days. However, in case of non-compliance of the Covid protocols and Home quarantine guidelines issued by MoHFW/ H&FW Department of Government of Odisha, such persons shall be quarantined in institutional facility for fourteen (14) days.” read an order of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).