Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Oct 18: Although the number of COVID-19 cases have come down in Andaman and Nicobar Islands but it seems that the local Administration has no plan to let guard down, as of now. As per sources, administration is restricting movement of people to safeguard public life, perhaps this is the reason why in last two months the case of COVID-19 have come down and daily only a handful of people are tested positive, despite large number of tests, being done at Airport, ATR and other ports.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha today the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman and also Deputy Commissioner of N & M Andaman (in-charge), Mr. Suneel Anchipakka today said that the Administration is requesting public to resist unnecessary movement so as to effectively contain this pandemic & safeguarding public life.
Meanwhile, the Mr. Suneel Anchipakka had earlier also informed media persons that tomorrow different ferries are scheduled to sail for Swaraj Dweep and Shaheed Dweep. He also informed that on 22nd October a ship is scheduled for Hut Bay.
According to other officials of Administration none of the student missed their exams despite these restrictions on movement. The Administration is also airlifting medically emergency patients as and when required. Infact on Saturday three medical patients, along with their attendants, were given priority seat in helicopter at Hut Bay to reached Port Blair for treatment. This is also a fact that compared to early weeks of August 2020 things are better now as far as Corona cases are concerned.
Efforts are on to bring normalcy in Andaman but there is of course a big question over the fact that how much restriction is too much in Andaman and the local residents.
There are many who are demanding to remove all restrictions in Andaman by comparing Andaman with other states but the question is that can we compare these scattered Islands of this UT considering all resource constraints, geographical Isolation & Remoteness.
Everyone had seen two months back that what could happen if there is a spike in Corora case in a remote place like Andaman.
This is also true that such restrictions on movement are causing huge inconvenience too for many. Some grassroot leaders are up in arms to protest, which is understandable under present circumstances. Perhaps Administration should find a perfect balance between restrictions and convenience of people and fine tune the SOPs to cause minimum problems to public.
Many believe that a help desk to listen to genuine grievances of public and passengers must be made operational immediately till these restrictions are in place, so that no one suffers due to these restrictions.
For tourism and hospitality industry senior officials must sit with stake holders and open services like ferries etc in phase manner. All it is required now is to find a perfect balance so that economy rolls and people can focus on their livelihood, without falling victim of COVID-19.
