The Odisha government on Thursday made 14-day quarantine mandatory for people entering the state from Bengal and asked district collector of Balasore, Mayurbhanj, to put up border checkposts on all inter-state roads along the Bengal border with immediate effect.

In a notification, the Odisha special relief commissioner asked district administrations to ensure border tracking for all entry points for people coming from Bengal. “...Police arrangements may be made for tracking. Anyone coming to Odisha from Bengal by personal or hired vehicles or entering the state in any other mode will have to undergo mandatory institutional or paid quarantine for 14 days,” it said.

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

“Sarpanch(s)/ Ward Member (s) of Panchayat Raj Institution members and volunteers will be mobilised to create awareness in their areas and further report to BDO/Police Station/ Local Authorities about any person coming from West Bengal not quarantined in institutional facilities” the order said.

“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 14 days. However, in case of non-compliance of the Covid protocols and home quarantine guidelines, such persons shall be quarantined in institutional facility for fourteen (14) days,” said the notification.