Odisha Legislators, Staff to Undergo Covid-19 Tests Ahead of Monsoon Session

Bhubaneswar: With 4th Session of the 16th Odisha Legislative Assembly (OLA) commencing from September 29, the Odisha Government has decided to conduct RT-PCR for Covid-19 test for all officers and staff of the OLA Secretariat along-with officers and staff of office of the Chief Minister,, Ministers, Leader of Opposition, Ministers of State, Government Chief Whip and Government Chief Whip from 07.30 A.M. to 09.30 A.M. from 26.09.2020 to 28.09.2020 in the Assembly premises by the team of Doctors.

Likewise, all the Members of the Odisha Legislative Assembly along-with their PSOs & Drivers from 07.30 A.M. to 09.30 A.M. on 27.09.2020 and 28.09.2020 in the Assembly premises by the Team of Doctors.

It has also been decided to conduct RT-PCR test again on 5th day of the sitting of the Assembly i.e. on 04.10.2020 for all the Members of OLA at the in the Assembly premises
However, if any member feels uncomfortable during the session of the Assembly, they may go for Antigen test by the Doctors in the above said place.

The legislators and officials of Legislative, Question, Reporting Branches and other House related staff who are required to go inside the Assembly Hall, will be provided with face-shield, mask, hand gloves and sanitizers by Health Department daily before commencement of each sitting during the Session.

Odisha Additional Chief Secretary PK Mohapatra today has written to the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) Managing Director and Capital Hospital Director to provide all facilities before the commencement of the 4th session of the 16th Odisha Legislative Assembly (OLA) from September 29.

In a letter to the BMC Commissioner, OSMCL MD and Capital Hospital Director for taking precautionary measures for prevention and containment of coronavirus, Mohapatra has urged the BMC Commissioner to provide all infrastructural facilities and necessary arrangements inside the OLA premises in consultation with OLA Secretary.

Besides, the OSMCL MD has been requested to provide face-shields, masks, hand gloves and sanitizers for use of the members during the assembly session.

On September 7, OLA Speaker Dr Surjya Narayan Patro had decided that BMC will provide all infrastructure like putting up tents and all other related arrangements at least 3 days before the commencement of the session.

Besides, the Health Department will deploy required doctors and medical staff with testing materials etc in the OLA premises so that all facilities are in position before testing.