TURA: Concerns are being raised against the total lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown in Garo Hills after April 14 with several local bodies apprehensive that the rash decision, if taken, would once again put the people at risk of contracting the virus after all efforts being made by the people to stay safe.
The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) from Williamnagar in East Garo Hills, in their appeal to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, cautioned him against lifting the lockdown and suggested that the region continues with a lockdown like situation for the time being.
“If the tests of those being kept in isolation turns out to be positive it will be disastrous as their contact tracing was not done properly. Even if it was done, their (contacts) other contacts were not asked to self-quarantine or monitored properly. Once the suspected patient is positive, there is possibility that the chain of contacts can spread the virus if they are allowed to mingle with other people,” the union said.
The union also said that much more was needed in the form of PPE, test kits, N95 masks and ventilators in the district and that it would not be possible to tackle the situation if any positive cases for the virus turn up. Stressing on continuing to stay in a lockdown like situation, the union emphasised that the transportation of vegetables from neighbouring states, especially Assam, should be discouraged.
The union also suggested that while government offices, agriculture sector and other similar activities are allowed to open, the opening of major weekly markets in the state is discouraged and that lockdown like situation is extended until the situation is put under control.
Another local body from West Garo Hills, the New Tura Development Forum (NTDF), questioned if foolproof mechanisms would be put in place to prevent the infiltration of the traders dealing in fish, dry fish and vegetables, from Assam once the weekly markets are allowed to open.
“Attempts for illegal entry by the unscrupulous traders from Assam clandestinely into our land will be tremendous and the security personnel along the interstate border will be having a tough time to handle it.
Among the Northeastern states, Assam has the largest number of people affected by the coronavirus and the number may possibly increase on later dates. If the existing financial assistance to the needy people is in place, we feel that the opening up of weekly markets be put off for some more days in Garo Hills till the situation is under control in the neighbouring state,” the forum said.
The forum, however, said that if the weekly markets are to be opened up at all, stronger mechanisms should be adopted to check the entry of illegal and possible COVID carrying traders in all the entry points along the interstate border.
“Proper checking of trading licenses and medical check-ups must be conducted for permitting any outside traders to enter into the weekly markets. Not only the strategic and main entry points, but complete length of the interstate border should be properly guarded and protected. Also, strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocols like maintenance of social distancing, etc. must not be compromised at any cost,” the forum cautioned.
Meanwhile, informing that more than 25 citizens from the state, especially from Garo Hills, are stranded without basic facilities in Chennai due to the lock down, the forum urged the chief minister to take up the matter with his counterpart to ensure that they are provided all necessities as well as arrangement made for their safe return.
Provide PPE to medical workers in GH
The A’chik Holistic Awakening Movement (AHAM) in Garo Hills has urged the state government to provide sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) to medical workers in Garo Hills to fight against COVID-19 in the event that cases of the virus turn up in the region.
Besides providing sufficient PPE, the organisation urged the government to set up a virology lab for testing of patients for the virus pointing out that it was not available in the region.