Bhubaneswar, May 3 (IANS): The Odisha government on Sunday said it would act tough against the persons violating quarantine norms to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Chief secretary Asit Tripathy said the violators, who have returned to Odisha, will be shifted to quarantine centres located in non-home districts while their quarantine period will be extended.

"The returnees, who are creating nuisance and escaping from quarantine centres, will be kept at quarantine centres away from their respective districts. The violators will be arrested and their quarantine periods will be extended. They will also not receive any incentive declared by the state government," said Tripathy.

He said all people returning from other states must have to go for a 14-day quarantine.

The migrants willing to return to Odisha have greed voluntarily on the quarantine conditions while filling up the pre-registration form and the state government will not compromise on this, he added.

He informed that the Sarpanches have been delegated powers of district collectors to closely monitor the quarantine conditions and take necessary action against the violators.

Notably, alleging lack of basic facilities, more than 150 migrants reportedly fled from two quarantine centres in Ganjam district on Sunday.

The chief secretary also requested the migrants coming via buses to avoid overcrowding and come with valid passes.

Buses without passes and overcrowded buses carrying stranded people of Odisha will not be allowed inside the state. Besides, persons coming by bus have to strictly stick to the route plans, said Tripathy.