Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): Despite strict directions from J&K administration over COVID-19, dozens of people who have recently returned from abroad have gone into hiding without any screening in Kashmir, according to UT officials.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary expressed concern over the serious negligence and tweeted: “Flood of messages about travelers who concealed travel history; and about contacts. I wish such people acted responsibly. Those appeals weren’t without reason. Control room & teams having tough time.”
On Tuesday, DC Srinagar said that around 100 persons with travel histories have been traced and put into quarantine so far adding that another 200 such persons reported to the COVID-19 control room in the district are being verified and will be put under quarantine if found true and required.
The government has also set up a 24×7 control room where people can inform about people, who are hiding their travel histories. Srinagar administration has received between 400-500 calls so far.
Several people who recently returned from Saudi Arabia and other parts of the country are staying home without disclosing their travel history.
Last week three couples, all the residents of Qamarwari after returning from Saudi Arabia went straight home and have not been quarantined or screened.
Similarly, a man from Hamdaniya Colony Bemina has arrived from Thailand, a lady from Guzarbal Qamarwari along with her sister arrived from Saudi Arabia too are hiding their travel history and have not been screened yet.
“I don’t know why people are behaving irresponsibly…a person had come from Thailand, he is from housing colony, ellahi bagh, buchpora,,,like others he also skipped screening and quarantine… Kindly look into this case too,” wrote one person in a reply to DC Srinagar on his twitter handle.
The government has setup 90 quarantine facilities in Srinagar and 1,800 persons returning from outside countries have been accommodated in these facilities so far.
To make people more cautions, DC Srinagar today said in a tweet: “doctors suggest actual cases in community could probably be more than those tested positive. For heaven’s sake stay at homes and report to designated hospitals if you have symptoms /travel history. Consult on phone before visiting Hospital. Please. Spread the word. #BreakTheChain”.
Jammu and Kashmir has reported seven COVID19 positive cases, out of which three have recovered.
