FARMERS PROTEST AGAINST NEW DISCHARGE POLICY

BATHINDA: Farmers and farm labourers on Monday protested against the discharging of Covid-19 patients under the new guidelines of the Union ministry of health and family welfare, claiming that these put the family members of such patients at risk. As per the revised policy, if any Covid-19 symptomatic patient undergoing treatment remains asymptomatic for three consecutive days, he or she can be discharged from the hospital without conducting RT-PCR test.

Protesters, under the banner of BKU (Ekta - Ugrahan) and Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union, resorted to a sit-in.

District president of BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) Shingara Singh Mann said, “Sending positive, but asymptomatic patients home poses the threat of infection to families. At hospitals, staff are dressed in full protective gear and follow all precautions. Following such a protocol will be near impossible at home.”