People from Odisha stranded in other states to be put under 14-day quarantine after their return

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday said steps will be taken for the safe return of lakhs of Odias stranded across the country due to the nationwide lockdown after restrictions are withdrawn and 14-day quarantine will be mandatory for them.

Once the lockdown curbs are lifted, Odisha in coordination with the host state and the Centre will facilitate the return of all those who want to come back home, the chief minister said in a video message.

Making it clear that all those who want to return to the state will have to be placed under quarantine for 14 days after they reach Odisha, Patnaik said the government will have a technology-based system to facilitate their return.

The chief minister also announced that the state government has taken a "historic" decision for providing sarpanchs of gram panchayats with powers of district collectors for effective management of COVID-19 in a decentralised manner.

Necessary legal steps have been taken in this regard, Patnaik said.

A decentralised and humane approach will be adopted to ensure the safe and smooth return of the stranded people, Patnaik said, adding that the cooperation of the community is essential. Gram panchayats and urban local bodies (ULBs) will be partnered for the exercise, he said.

Empowering panchayats and urban local bodies will facilitate tracking, monitoring and smooth movement of the returnees, he said.

Facilities for registration will be provided in every panchayat and people returning to the villages from other states will have to register themselves, he said, adding they can do so with the help of family members and relatives.

People returning from other states will be placed under quarantine for 14 days during which they will be provided accommodation, food and medical facility free of cost, Patnaik said, adding that an incentive of Rs 2,000 will be provided to them after the quarantine period.

"Registration, streamlined movement and 14-day quarantine are very important to protect the returnees, their own families, the community and the state at large," the chief minister said.

While more than one lakh stranded persons from other states in Odisha are being looked after, lakhs of Odias, including pilgrims, students, professionals, workers and patients, are stuck across the country.

The chief minister said, "I am moved by their plight. Their lives are yet to become normal despite the best efforts of the states concerned and our government," he said.

Asserting that extraordinary situations require extraordinary solutions, the chief minister said the present situation can be properly tackled by empowering panchayats and ULBs.

"The fight against COVID-19 will be further strengthened if people returning from other states are provided with proper service," he said.

Emphasising that the battle against coronavirus will be a long one, Patnaik said the provision of mandatory registration of people returning from abroad and their compulsory quarantine played a significant role in keeping the deadly disease under control in the state.

However, the people will have to remain more careful in future, he said.

"There has been a three-fold increase in the number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the state, and active cases have recorded a slide in Odisha.

"It has been possible because of your cooperation and sacrifice. Every individual, family, woman made sacrifices and worked with dedication in the battle against COVID-19," the chief minister said.