'Truckers under our scanner' Says Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

* Lockdown relaxations in Guwahati may be curtailed

* 12 State dispensaries to conduct corona test in city

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The yards meant for loading and unloading of trucks and their parking lots have been put under the lens for corona as most of the positive cases without travel history in the city have been detected around such areas. Taking serious note of this threat perception, the Health department is going to conduct random tests of around 50,000 people in the city. If the results reveal more corona positive cases, the relaxation of the lockdown in Guwahati will come up for a second thought.

Talking to the media on Saturday, Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "As many as 25 corona positive cases without any travel history have been detected in Guwahati. Most of these cases are around yards meant for loading and unloading of trucks and their parking lots. The city has 119 truck yards that are now being viewed as epicentres of the virus. For loading or unloading of a truck, the drivers and handymen have to stay at the sites for at least three days during which they may spread the virus while taking food in the eateries and dhabas, filling in petrol depots etc. We've also instructed the administrations of other districts where trucks from other States load and unload goods to take similar measures. According to the guidelines issued by the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs), we can't quarantine crews of goods-carrying trucks. Now we're contemplating on taking measures for confining truck drivers and handymen in the truck yards.

"The COVID-19 situation is becoming complex in Guwahati. We need to take harsh measures. In the next 15 days, we're going to conduct random tests covering 50,000 people in the city. If a sizable number of corona positive cases come out, we'll have to rethink about the relaxation norms in the city. There may not be lockdown, but some of the relaxations may get cut.

"So that people can get their corona status tested, we've set up 12 test centres in different State dispensaries across the city. Such centres will start from June 16. If any person has doubts over fever, he/she can avail of these facilities provided free of cost.

"While the recovery rate of corona in the State is 47.9 per cent, the death rate is 0.21 per cent. We're ahead of most other States in conducting these tests. As of today, we've conducted two lakh tests, and we're set to conduct 1 lakh more tests by June 30.

"We've appealed to the Minister of Civil Aviation to limit the number of flights to Guwahati to 25 per day. Maintaining social distancing at airports has become a problem of sorts because of the rush of air passengers.

"We're faced with another trying time. Over 26,000 people have started returning from Kerala and Bengaluru in trains. We're keeping a close watch as to how many of them test positive.

"We've formed a voluntary network of counselors with 220 psychiatrists to render counseling to the people in the quarantine centres and also the containment zones."

The Minister further said that the department has so far spent Rs 34 crore to people quarantined in their homes or hotels. On the last rites of people who die due to corona, he appealed to the public not to oppose it. "Scientifically speaking, after burning the body or burying it, no virus can spread. Let officials perform the last rites of such bodies at nearest crematorium or burial ground without any hindrance," he said.   

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