COVID-19 Negative Certificate Must For Admission In Odisha Old-Age Homes

Bhubaneswar : Admission of new inmates to any rehabilitation centres for beggars or old-age homes in the State shall only be allowed after the concerned individual tests negative for COVID-19, stated a government notification issued on Monday.

According to the notification issued by the department of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) to the collectors, all the Centres/ Homes across the State should admit only such persons with COVID-19 negative certificates or persons who completed quarantine requirements, if any.

Since destitute and senior citizens are being referred to these Centres/ Homes during this pandemic, all these institutions should abide by the COVID-19 guidelines and take adequate steps for ensuring prevention of the disease.

“In case a newfound individual is required to stay in any centre/ home, s/he has to be positively tested for COVID-19 and if found negative shall only be admitted to the same. Until then, their stay can be arranged by the local administration either in a transit house for the purpose or a COVID care centre, as the case may be,” added the notification.