VISAKHAPATNAM: The Odisha government has sealed intrastate points of movement along the Andhra-Odisha border (AOB) as part of curbs to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Authorities in Odisha are not allowing people to enter the state from Andhra Pradesh without a negative Covid-19 test report or a vaccine certificate (the one issued after the second dose).
Meanwhile, vehicles from Andhra Pradesh are stuck at borders along the AOB. Even private vehicles are not being allowed to go into Odisha.
Locals said that the Odisha government has set up a check-post along AOB. On Tuesday, a large number of vehicles remained stuck at the border. Odisha has also sealed borders with Chhattisgarh.
The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has suspended interstate buses into parts of Odisha due to the curbs. Interstate bus services to Onka Delhi, Machhakund, Paduva, Koraput, Jeypore and Semiliguda have been suspended temporarily.
“We will operate these bus services till the Andhra Pradesh border only,” said an APSRTC official from Vizag.
Read more:Negative Covid-19 report mandatory for entry into Odisha. Details here
The curbs are affecting people living in the AOB region as well as those in southern Odisha. “The Odisha government has not set up any Covid-19 testing facilities at the check-points. That’s what they should have done,” said T Anil Kumar, a resident of Vizianagaram who travels to Odisha regularly on business.
Traders in Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram are finding it difficult to move goods to Odisha owing to the restrictions.
