Odisha Lockdown: Will It Affect Testing & Vaccination?

Bhubaneswar: The Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) Office on Sunday declared a lockdown across Odisha from May 5 (Wednesday) till 5 am of May 19 (Wednesday).

Also Read: Odisha Govt Declares 14-Day Lockdown To Break COVID Chain; Strict Curbs On These Activities

However, the lockdown will not affect the testing and vaccination for COVID-19, according the circular issued by the SRC’s Office.

Testing

According to the circular, persons desirous of or required to get tested for COVID-19 shall be allowed to travel to the designated government or private testing centres. They can do so by travelling in their vehicles, taxis or auto rickshaws by following the guidelines.

It also asked the Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department, District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners to facilitate alternate ways through call centres and IT solutions to help such persons smoothly travel to and from the COVID testing centres.

Vaccination

During the lockdown, vaccination will continue subject to availability in places notified by the H&FW Department. Persons eligible for vaccination shall be allowed to travel to the designated COVID vaccination centre in their vehicles, taxis or auto rickshaws by following the guidelines with adherence to guidelines.

The H&FW Department, District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners may also facilitate alternate ways through call centres and IT solutions to help such persons to travel to the vaccination centres, the circular added.