Odisha: Strengthen quarantine facility in rural areas, says BJP leader

BHUBANESWAR: BJP state president Samir Mohanty on Sunday criticised the state government for not having proper quarantine facility in rural areas to check the spreading of Covid-19 in villages. He suggested the state government strengthen the isolation/quarantine facility for people coming from other states.
Mohanty in a press statement said migrant workers are returning to their native places in Odisha after some states announced lockdown. “There is no proper quarantine or isolation facility for these returnees. Even the government does not have any testing facility for the returnees. During the first wave, inflow of migrant workers was the major reason behind the increase in Covid cases. Now the second wave is more dangerous, but the state government could not learn from its past,” he added.
He said a quarantine facility was made available at village level during the first wave, but why the state does not show interest to open this facility this time. “As the cases are increasing, the state government should focus on testing to put a stop on spreading of infection. If a person gets Covid report after five or six days of the testing, the Covid positive person can infect others unknowingly before the report comes. Government should use technology and give the report as soon as possible,” said the BJP leader.
Mohanty said the state should make proper arrangements for beneficiaries at vaccine sites for a smooth vaccination drive. He also suggested door-to-door testing for the benefit of the people. “Covid patients are found in large numbers from rural areas compared to the urban centres. Covid Crisis Management Committees should be formed in rural areas to fight against the Covid-19,” he added.