How Himachal lost its edge in battle against Covid-19

SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: Himachal Pradesh was set to be declared Covid-free in April-end with 39 of its 40 coronavirus cases cured and no new patient for 10 days. A confident government decided to open the state’s borders for its residents stranded elsewhere in the country.

The natives returned in hordes, resulting in a second wave of cases to hit the state on May 4. Since then, the state has been facing an uphill task to control the spread of coronavirus.

By May-end, 290 new cases were reported, taking the state’s tally to 330. Most positive patients were returnees from hotspot metros Delhi and Mumbai.

Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur justified his government’s decision, saying: “We could not

have left our own people to their fate.”

As many as 623 infections were reported in June, almost 200% increase in a month.

GOVT’S FLIP-FLOPS ON ENTRY

Given the surge in cases, the government again closed the state’s borders on June 23. Entry to the state was allowed only in exceptional circumstances such as a medical emergency or the death of a relative.

By then, the Centre was gearing up for Unlock 2.0. On June 29, the Centre issued new guidelines, asking the states to allow inter-state travel. Himachal Pradesh sought permission to keep its borders closed, which was denied.

Not only were the state borders opened for all but the condition of institutional or home quarantine was waived for industrial workers, managers and project promoters. Industrialists were allowed to bring labour from anywhere by just registering them on the government portal.

MIGRANT WORKERS ADD TO BURDEN;

The influx of migrant workers in July has led to another spike in infections. The Baddi-barotiwala-nalagarh (BBN) industrial belt in Solan district has emerged as a Covid-19 hotspot.

In July, Solan district alone has recorded 271 cases, over 38% of the total of 703 cases till date. Most people found positive in the industrial belt are migrant labourers and now there are reports of workers employed in apple orchards testing positive too.

The state witnessed its steepest single-day spike on July 20 with a total of 110 cases. Earlier, steepest spike was on July 13 with 78 cases, a record 69 from BBN Area.

QUARANTINE MUST FOR MIGRANT LABOURERS

Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said, “The arrival of migrant labourers has led to a spurt in Covid-19 cases but economic activities also need to be revived.”

The government has revised guidelines and made quarantine a must for labourers coming from other states. “Big industries will make arrangements to quarantine their workers, while smaller units may pool for the facilities,” he said.

For migrant labour coming to work in orchards, the responsibility of their quarantine rests on the owners.

A Covid-19 negative report has also been made mandatory for the labourers entering the state.

THE STATE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO CONTROL THE SPREAD OF VIRUS BY QUARANTINING MIGRANT LABOURERS AND ALLOWING TOURISTS WITH RESTRICTIONS

TOURISTS WELCOME, BUT CONDITIONS APPLY

Though the state government has allowed tourists to enter the state but they can come only with a mandatory five-day hotel booking and Covid-19 negative report not older than 72 hours.

However, there have been many instances where people entered the state without requisite documents.

“The government has increased the vigil at the borders and people flouting the norms will be dealt with strictly,” the chief minister said.

However, local residents have been resenting the decision, saying that allowing tourists to visit the state may result in a further spike in cases.