Laxity in COVID protocols at Assam Secretariat (Janata Bhawan)

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: As the State government is continuously appealing to the people to follow the COVID protocols, the premises of the Assam Secretariat (Janata Bhawan) tell a different story.

During a visit of this correspondent to the Assam Secretariat, it was witnessed that the latter is taking the COVID-19 guidelines casually.

A few months ago, people were being sanitized and thermal scanned at both the entry points – GS Road and Dispur Last Gate — following which they were allowed to enter the Assam Secretariat. However, for the last few days, this practice is not being seen.

During the COVID outbreak in 2020, taps were installed at both the entry points so that the people can wash their hands with soap and also sanitize themselves. But in the meanwhile, these soaps and sanitizers have disappeared and people are being allowed to enter without even going through the thermal scanning test.

It is to be noted that there are seven blocks inside the Assam Secretariat including the Chief Minister's Block. At the peak of the outbreak, officials were deputed on the ground floor of each block to sanitize people and conduct the thermal scanning test. This correspondent witnessed that the officials to sanitize and conduct the thermal scanning test were present only in two blocks.

Being the main hub of administrative works, all COVID-related guidelines are issued from the secretariat. Ironically, gross neglect on the adherence to the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry was witnessed during this correspondent's visit.

Thus, the Secretariat Administration Department should take initiatives to keep the coronavirus at bay and avoid a possible outbreak in its premises.

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