TURA: Panicked shopkeepers from Chokpot market in South Garo Hills downed their shutters on Thursday morning after two occupants of separate supply trucks transporting cement to the region tested positive for Covid-19 during separate antigen testing.
According to sources, while the first case was detected on Wednesday afternoon, another occupant of a truck which arrived on Thursday morning also tested positive for the virus. Both the persons have since been isolated and taken to Baghmara to be treated while under quarantine.
South Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, H B Marak confirmed the positive cases but denied having any knowledge of shops closing down.
“I am not aware of shops closing down but we immediately brought the two positive patients to Baghmara and they will be kept under quarantine,” Marak said.
Meanwhile, local sources including the GSU confirmed that shops were closed down by shopkeepers soon after word spread of the positive cases. With the region free from Covid-19 prior to these two cases, shopkeepers panicked and took the decision on their own, they added.