Port Blair, Apr 20: Following a report published in a local daily regarding suspicion to spreading virus to the North & Middle Andaman District by allowing movement of police forces to the district, the Administration has now issued a clarification for public information.
“The article said that samples of all the 3 (Three) quarantined people are being tested at RMRC-ICMR, Dollygunj, and Port Blair. It is also mentioned that 33 persons have been put in quarantine inside the vehicle ferry at Middle Strait and one of the relatives of the confirmed case has been put on Institution quarantine at Baratang. Moreover, the article also quotes the WhatsApp post of CMO Rangat expressing his concern on the decision of the Administration.”
In this regard, it has been clarified by the Administration that considering no case in North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar District the Administration decided to not allow any movement from South Andaman District to these two Districts except maintaining supplies of essential commodities and emergency services including Law and Order.
As per directions issued by Deputy Commissioner South Andaman, persons having Negative (-Ve) tested report of COVID-19 will only be allowed to these districts in emergencies. In compliance with these guidelines, the Administration on 17.04.2020 has allowed movement of 46 Police personnel at 9.30 am to 04 Look Out Posts (LOP) i.e. East Island, Barman Nallah, Luis-In-Lep-Bay and Interview Island pertaining to North & Middle Andaman district after having their report tested as negative (-Ve) on 16.04.2020.
During their journey to these destinations 2 (Two) persons of this contingent were retained in Rangat who were figured in the contact list of a confirmed case reported by Lab on 17th April 2020 evening. One person was also retained at Diglipur who has developed symptoms of Cold.
However all these 03 persons including remaining 43 tested negative to COVID-19 before allowing their movement from South Andaman to the out posts of North & Middle Andaman.
“They have been quarantined at Rangat and Diglipur as a precautionary measure. Some people including a Daily, terms the decision as an unexpected blunder which is very unfortunate and created an atmosphere of panic and mistrust among the people which is not warranted in this time of emergency,” the Administration added.
The decision of Administration was well conceived and based on the prudent laid down policy which took all precautions to prevent infection of virus including maintenance of law and order in larger interest of public.
The Administration has observed all the precautions while moving forces from Port Blair to North and Middle Andaman District including social distancing and respiratory etiquettes and moved after having their Negative report for COVID-19 on 16.04.2020.
“The Administration has already initiated action against the officer who without confirming facts from the Department made such unwanted comments,” the release added.
