Keeping in view the impending  very severe cyclonic storm "Yaas", the Odisha government on Monday decided to suspend the COVID-19 testing, vaccination and door-to-door survey work in the three cyclone prone districts.

The three districts are-Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj. They fall in the red zones having more than 1000 active coronavirus cases.

    

"The ongoing activities of COVID-19 testing, vaccination and door-to-door COVID-19 survey shall remain suspended in Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts between May 25 and 27," a notification issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department said.

   

However, the district collectors of Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur and Keonjhar, will take a call on suspension of the COVID related activities in their jurisdiction, it said.

The state government has also cancelled holidays and leaves of all government employees with immediate effect in the view of the cyclone.

Cyclone Yaas is likely to cross Odisha-West Bengal coast on May 26.