Balikuda/Patrapur: Covid norms were thrown to the wind as villagers at a vaccination centre in Balikuda area of Jagatsinghpur district and in Patrapur of Ganjam district jostled with each other while standing in queues to get vaccinated, Monday. The Odisha government as well has the Centre have been repeatedly harping on the importance of maintaining social distancing even during vaccination. They have also said that wearing of masks is of utmost importance while getting vaccinated. However, all those went for a toss as the unruly crowd jostled to get the jab at the two centres mentioned above.
The vaccination programme was carried out at Samantiapalli School in Patrapur block. Locals alleged that the situation went out of control as the administration had not made any provision to conduct the programme in an orderly and peaceful manner.
People were standing close to each other in queues without wearing masks despite availability of sufficient space in the school premises. This has sparked fear over further spread of coronavirus in the area
Outside the vaccination centre at Balikuda, villagers queued up in large numbers which is nothing unusual for people waiting to receive their first dose of the vaccine. However, what has evoked shock is the manner in which the villagers were standing.
They were standing so close to each other that there was hardly any space between them. Some were even engaged in elbowing and shoving another person while many others jumped the queue at the first opportunity. Many were seen taking selfies while standing in the queue outside the vaccination centre in Patrapur. There was an air of festivity as rules were broken with impunity.
The scene outside the vaccination centres resembled ticket counters of any stadium where people assemble hoping to get tickets to witness a cricket or football match. However, police personnel, who were deployed outside the vaccination centres to maintain law and order, stood rooted as mute spectators.
Local intelligentsia alleged that such behaviour displayed by people defeats the whole purpose of the country’s largest ever vaccination programme.