Migrants from AP keep Rayagada on its toes

KORAPUT: Every day hundreds of migrant labourers from Andhra Pradesh are entering Rayagada district on the way to their states and it has increased problem of the district administration.
According to an official source, as the migrant labourers are being forcibly evacuated from Andhra Pradesh, they are entering Rayagada district through walking and on cycles thus increasing risk of spread of Covid-19.
The migrant labourers of states like Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are crossing Rayagada district to reach their states and if anyone of them has been carrying the virus then there is possibility of its spread in the district, said an official at Rayagada.
Though till now no coronavirus positive case has been detected in Rayagada and the tribal-dominated district placed in the green category, but the mass entry of migrant labourers has forced the administration to enhance its surveillance.
Admitting that the migrant labourers of other states are entering Rayagada and are creating problem, the administration claimed the situation is under control and people need not panic.
“Migrant labourers from bordering Andhra are entering our district in large numbers. Though, we are trying to keep them in our quarantine centres but many of them, especially those who are riding cycles, are not willing to stay and proceeding with their journey,” said collector (Rayagada) Promod Kumar Behera.
Still, their movement inside the district is being closely monitored, he added. The workers, who are walking into the district, are being kept in quarantine centres.