Health dept talks tough against rule-breakers

SHILLONG: The state Health department has put the onus on citizens to be responsible even as the department stressed on registration of citizens who arrived from outside the state besides warning of legal action against citizens who violate rules and regulations put in place to prevent possible outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.
Speaking to reporters, Director of DHS (MI), Aman War, said that the state government has time and again requested through the media and other means of communication that those who arrive from outside the state should be responsible for their safety as well as show concern for the health of other citizens.
“Most of them are well educated. If they isolate themselves and do not come out is fine. They should follow government advisory”, he said.
It may be mentioned that if symptoms of fever, cough or breathlessness occur, the sufferer should report to the 24×7 helpline number 108 or to the state/district health teams that are monitoring on a daily basis.
He maintained that people, who come from outside the state, should register themselves so that the Health department can keep track of them if they suffer from coronavirus-related symptoms later.
“Such persons should inform the Health authorities” he said.
War said that the district surveillance unit is being strengthened and they are on the move to track those who have not registered yet.
“But if the citizens of the state do not understand this, then we will be compelled to resort to legal action. The act is already promulgated which is the regulation of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, where people can be jailed till 6 months and fined if one disobeys the government advisory to contain the virus,” he added.
War said that the government does not want to make people go through the imbroglio of imprisonment and fines, which is why the government currently is appealing to people to comply with advisory to ensure that there is no coronavirus outbreak in the state.
“Elderly people will be affected. Responsibility is on the people. People should understand,” he said, adding that the collaborative effort of the people will combat the pandemic.
When asked, he said checking of truck drivers is also being done in Byrnihat and there are three scanners put in place, adding “as much as possible, all are being screened and there are video cameras also”.
Besides Byrnihat, screening is also being done at Umiam, Ratacherra, Dainadubi and Bajengdoba.