Returnees tested after ‘gap’: Centre
In view of rising numbers of fresh positive cases of novel coronavirus (Covid19) in India, the Centre on Friday acknowledged a “gap” in actual monitoring of 15 lakh air travellers who entered India in the last two months. The government has asked states that all international passengers have to be put under “close surveillance”.
On Friday, the total number of cases in India reached 724 out of which
640 are active cases, 66 have been cured, 17 have died and 1 migrated.
The government is maintaining that there still no community spread of Covid and India has not reached Stage 3.
In a letter to chief secretaries of all States and UTs, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba sought to strengthen surveillance of international air travellers who entered India between January 18 to March 23. He added the gap in monitoring of international passengers “may seriously jeopardise the efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19”, given that many of the persons who have tested positive so far in India have history of international travel.
“As you are aware, we initiated screening of international incoming passengers at the airports with effect from January 18, 2020. I informed that up to March 23, 2020, cumulatively, Bureau Of Immigration has shared details of over 15 lakh incoming international passengers with the States/UTs for monitoring for Covid-19. However, there appears to be a gap between the number of passengers who need to be monitored by the States/UTs and the actual number of passengers being monitored,” Gauba said in his letter.
The number of Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir went up to 18 on Friday after four more persons, all of them Srinagar residents, tested positive. Thirteen more persons are being treated for the deadly disease in Ladakh. One of the affected persons died at a hospital in Srinagar on Thursday.
Meanwhile, no Friday congregations were held in any major mosque in J&K or Ladakh. While in most cases the custodians of mosques voluntarily called off the weekly gatherings, the law enforcing agencies had to intervene at place to prevent people from entering the places of worship.
Srinagar’s DC Shahid Iqbal Choudhary had on Thursday with a view to prevent the spread of the virus issued a formal order for the closure of all places of worship in the district.
However, the managements of Srinagar’s famed Dargah Hazratbal, historic Jama Masjid and Khankah-e-Naqashbandia had already been shut for worshippers.
The custodians of City’s Chattipatshahi Gurdwara followed suit whereas revered Hindu shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi tucked away in Trikuta hills near Jammu was closed for pilgrims last week.
The virtual lockdown as part of an official effort to stem the spread of Covid19 was strictly enforced on ground by the J&K police and Central armed police forces on the ninth consecutive day on Friday.
Around Noon, adhan or azaan (call for prayers) was given from some locality mosques in Srinagar and some other towns of the Valley.
The police immediately rushed in but were assured by the custodians of these mosques that no Friday congregations are being organised at these.
However at few places, the police had to act tough in order to prevent worshippers from relocating to mosques.