GAIGHAT: Health workers have collected samples from twelve Indian nationals staying at a local masjid in Udayapur.

The Indians have been staying here since the nationwide coronavirus lockdown in both the neighbouring countries has led to restriction of movement across the border entry points.

Chief District Officer (CDO) Deepak Kumar Pahadi said, a medical team has been deployed to take swab samples of the people residing in the Masjid at the moment, including four Nepalis, for COVID-19 test.

"We are investigating their travel history. They have been kept under our security surveillance," CDO Pahadi shared. He further said that security forces will monitor other masjids in the district given that a lot of people had crossed various border entry point to take part in a religious event in the recent past.

According to CDO Pahari, the travelers had arrived in Udayapur via Saptari district.