Entry restricted, Gurugram condos prepare for lockdown
nGURUGRAM: With the number of Covid-19 cases in Gurugram increasing to four, some condominiums have gone into confinement while others are gearing up for a lockdown. From imposing restrictions on the entry of vendors and domestic workers to stopping delivery of newspapers, these plush condos are trying to take steps to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Some condominiums with Covid-infected residents are under quarantine, in accordance with government rules, while some others have prohibited the entry of delivery persons inside the towers.
Residents have also been advised to give breaks to domestic workers.
South Close in Nirvana Country, a condominium in Sector 50 where a couple tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week, told its residents that lockdown measures were being implemented in consultation with government authorities. “We are entering a lockdown phase to prevent movement of individuals in and out of the property,” an advisory shared with residents stated.
Until March 27, all families were asked to self-quarantine and not exit the premises. Individuals who recently returned from abroad were asked to stay within their houses. The advisory said that residents spotted flouting the rules would be notified and reported to authorities and local police.
Starting Saturday evening, no support staff coming from outside will be given entry to the complex. All food, courier delivery shall be collected outside the residential towers in a designated area that is disinfected regularly.
Park Place in Sector 54 has also imposed restrictions on casual staff, drivers, and condominium staff, and is preparing a plan for complete lockdown, said Yogesh Saini, a resident. “The decision on deployment of skeletal staff in the case of complete lockdown has been taken. This will be imposed immediately on getting instructions from authorities,” stated an advisory on Thursday.
To protect the complex from disease carriers, La Lagune in Sector 54 has put in place meticulous screening at its gate for workers and staff. At the end of the screening process, the workers’ hands are stamped with “checked”. “Every staff and helper is checked for temperature. Then they have to wash their hands, after which they are stamped and allowed to go in,” said Deepak Virmani, estate manager of the property.
Residents and visitors are also screened for temperature and made to wash their hands. Unless someone objects, their hands are stamped too.
The Legend in Sector 57 is not allowing external vendors to enter the towers, and a decision on restricting the entry of domestic help is likely soon. Shashank Jogi, the secretary of the condominium, said even if a lockdown happens, medicine shops in the condo will stay open.
One of Gurugram’s oldest condominiums, Silver Oaks, in Sector 26 has prohibited app-based services inside the condominium. Tariq Raza, president, Silver Oaks Condominium Association, said restrictions had been imposed on entry of people since Tuesday. “Unlike other condominiums, Silver Oaks has 15 gates ,which means that people can enter from multiple points. We have restricted entry of domestic help, drivers, and delivery persons,” said Raza.
He added that the decision was driven by the fact that a vast majority of senior citizens reside in the complex.
Dr Jaswant Singh Punia, CMO, Gurugram, said social distancing and isolation were the only ways of controlling the spread of Covid-19. “It’s good that condominiums are implementing these measures. All residential complexes need to ensure that disinfectants are used at least thrice in common areas and ensure that support staff are sanitized at all times,” said Punia
(With inputs from Sharanya Munsi)