Bhubaneswar: With a rapid decrease in Covid-19 cases in Odisha, the State Election Commission (SEC) today relaxed Covid-19 restrictions imposed for counting of votes of the panchayat polls.
Earlier, the SEC had issued instructions for compulsory (RT-PCR or RAT) negative reports for all persons entering counting centres within 48 hours of start of counting even if they were double vaccinated.
However, taking note of the rapid decline in Covid-19 cases, the SEC in a letter addressed to all district Collectors directed for relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions.
As per the relaxed rules, all persons entering counting centres shall be thermal scanned. While only doubly vaccinated persons will be allowed inside the Counting Hall, persons having Covid-19 symptoms will not be allowed to enter the counting centres.
