John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, Jul 15: The Director IP&T, Mr. Alok Kumar, DANICS today informed that altogether two flights with 349 passengers arrived today at Port Blair Airport and all passengers have undergone RT-PCR test, the results for today’s RT-PCR are awaited.
While addressing a COVID-19 media briefing in the conference hall of IP&T, the Director further pointed out that yesterday (Wednesday) among 339 passengers who landed at Port Blair Airport, none of passengers were found COVID-19 positive during the RT-PCR test.
The Director further informed that 227 persons (travelers) bound for N&M Andaman were tested at Ferrargunj in which one was tested COVID-19 positive during Rapid Antigen Test (RAT).
The mobile testing team today conducted tests on 108 persons at Burmanallah in which all were found COVID-19 negative.
Today altogether 1520 eligible beneficiaries got vaccinated by evening 3:00 PM at JNRM Vaccination Center in South Andaman District, in which 1208 beneficiaries were of the age group above 45 year old and 312 were beneficiaries of the age group above 18-44 year old who got their first dose of vaccine, Director IP&T added.
Later the Director ANIIMS, Dr. A K Mondal further said that at GB Pant Hospital altogether 03 patients are admitted in which one patient is on oxygen support.

John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, Jul 14: The Director IP&T, Mr. Alok Kumar, DANICS today informed that altogether two flights with 339 passengers arrived today at Port Blair Airport and all passengers have undergone RT-PCR test, the results for today’s RT-PCR are awaited.
While addressing a COVID-19 media briefing in the conference hall of IP&T, the Director further pointed out that yesterday (Tuesday) among passengers who landed at Port Blair Airport, three passengers were found COVID-19 positive during the RT-PCR test.
The Director further informed that 204 persons (travelers) bound for N&M Andaman were tested at Ferrargunj in which none was tested COVID-19 positive during Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). Similarly at Heli -pad also 05 passengers were tested and none of them were found COVID-19 positive.
The mobile testing team conducted tests on 30 persons at Nimbu Bagicha in which all were found negative.
The Director IP&T further pointed out that at GB Pant Hospital altogether 03 patients are admitted in which one patient is on oxygen support.
Today altogether 1260 eligible beneficiaries got vaccinated in which 950 beneficiaries were of the age group above 45 year old and 310 were beneficiaries of the age group above 18-44 year old who got their first dose of vaccine, Director IP&T added.

Vikramaditya

Port Blair, July 13: Lockdown in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been extended with more relaxations till 20th July 2021 in South Andaman District.

As per latest order, all religious places to open from 6 AM to 6PM for daily rituals only and similarly Gyms as well as Yoga Institutes were also allowed to operate from 6 AM to 6PM.

The order has been issued by Mr. Suneel Anchipaka the District Magistrate, South Andaman District to ensure measures of isolation and social distancing in the South Andaman District with continuous focus on the fivefold strategy for effective management of COVID-19 i.e., Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to COVID appropriate behavior to control any surge of the cases of COVID-19 again.

“This order shall come into effect from 14thJuly 2021 and shall remain in force till 20thJuly 2021,” the DM mentioned in his Lockdown extension order.

As per other details in the Lockdown orders Shops selling essential and non-essential items shall be allowed to open between06:00 AM to 06:00 PM by observing COVID appropriate behavior.

No movement of men and material without valid movement pass/e-pass shall be allowed other than the time fixed for opening of shops between 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.

No movement of men and material without valid movement pass/e-pass shall be allowed other than the time fixed for opening of shops between 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.

Movement shall be allowed for emergency cases, medical emergencies, pregnant women and patients availing medical services.

Persons engaged for essential activities for movement of goods on Andaman Trunk road, loading and unloading of essential cargo after 06:00 PM shall be allowed on production of valid movement permit issued by the Office of District Magistrate.

Travel of persons who intend to proceed to their destinations at mainland after 06:00 PMshall be allowed on production of valid travel documents. However, the person (one person) who intend to pick/drop after 06:00 PM, should apply for e-pass well in advance with supporting documents and the same shall be issued by the Office of District Magistrate on case to case basis.

Movement of officers/officials involved in providing essential services such as District Administration, Police, CISF, Health Services, ICMR, PBMC, Electricity,Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire and emergency services, Defence personnel on duty after 06:00 PMshall be permitted on production of valid Identity Cards issued by their concerned departments.

Movement of Officers/Officials, involved in providing services such as Pay & Accounts, Shipping Services, Forest, Banking, Water Supply & Sanitation in Rural Areas, Disaster Management, Port services and related services, Telecommunication shall be allowed after 06:00 PM on production of movement passes already issued by the Office of District Magistrate.

Movement of personnel involved in providing Broadcasting, all print and electronic media persons after 06:00 PM shall be allowed on production of valid movement passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate.

Movement of personnel involved in Private Security Services, Cable Services, Internet Service Providers, POL Outlets, LPG Stores/Godown, ATMs, e-Commerce activities, Cold Storages, Godowns and Warehouses shall be allowed after 06:00 PMon production of e-passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate.

All POL outlets shall be opened from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM.

Movement of private medical personnel such as Doctors, nursing staff, paramedics etc. attached with diagnostic centres and clinics, veterinary clinics shall be allowed after 06:00 PMon production of e-passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate.

Movement of persons from containment zones shall be strictly restricted and shall only be permitted on case to case basis upon approval from the Office of District Magistrate.

Port services will continue to operate as usual and both essential and non-essential cargo can be moved in and out of port, as per requirement for loading/unloading/clearing of cargo and the same shall be permitted till 06:00 PM only. e-Passes for operation of cargo movement after 06:00 PM needs to be obtained, which shall be strictly permitted on case to case basis by the Office of the District Magistrate.

Construction activities shall be permitted from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM. Construction activities of national importance and strategic projects beyond 06:00 PM shall be permitted with prior permission of District Magistrate and e-Passes needs to be obtained, which shall be strictly permitted on case to case basis by the Office of the District Magistrate.

Movement of persons involved with Hotels/Restaurants and Mess to be certified by the firm/organisation for home delivery of food shall be allowed till09:00 PM on production of e-passes issued by the Office of District Magistrate. Dine-in shall be permitted between 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM only, subject to 50% of the seating capacity and strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours. However, take away/parcel service and home delivery should be encouraged.

Public Transport/Buses shall be allowed to ply with maximum 90% seating capacity including Autos, Taxis and Jeeps in partial modification to this Office Order No.566 dt.23rd April 2021. Transportation of cargo shall also be permitted.SOPs in this regard issued by the Transport department should be strictly adhered to.

The e-passes issued by the Office of the District Magistrate to individuals for movement after 06:00 PM involved in various activities/services shall be revalidated on case to case basis.

Sale and service of liquor at licensed premises shall be permitted till 06:00 PM. SOPs and orders regarding the timings for sale and service of liquor at all licensed establishments (C, C1, B1, B2, B3 and B4 category) issued by the Deputy Commissioner (Excise), South Andamanshould be strictly adhered to.

Gyms and yoga institutes shall be permitted to open from 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM subject to strict adherence of COVID appropriate behaviours. Any person/organisation violating the above directions shall be liable to be fined to the tune of Rs.25,000/-.

Last rites/funerals shall be permitted with a maximum of 20 persons with strict adherence of to COVID appropriate behaviours.

No tribal passes will be issued for southern group of islands till further orders except for official purposes.

All places/places of worship are allowed to open between 06:00 AM to 06:00 PM with only priest and two management staff to perform day to day rituals. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision of thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizers will be mandatory. No devotees shall be allowed to enter the religious place. The Management Committee of the religious places shall be responsible to ensure strict compliance and any violations of the directions shall be liable for fine to the tune of Rs.10,000/- payable by the Committee.

Religious places/places of worship in containment zones shall remain closed. Only those outside containment zones will be allowed to open up.

As per the last update, there are 09 COVID-19 active cases in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and since the beginning total 7496 people have been tested COVID-19 positive in this UT out of which 7357 people have recovered.

In the first and second waves of COVID-19 altogether 129 deaths have been recorded due to COVID-19 infection in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

John Wilbert & Savita Kumari
Port Blair, Jul 12: The Secretary (Health) Mr. Ram Niwas Sharma today informed that altogether one flight with 150 passengers arrived today at Port Blair Airport and all passengers have undergone RT-PCR test, the results for today’s RT-PCR are awaited.
While addressing a COVID-19 media briefing in the conference hall of IP&T, the Secretary further pointed out that yesterday (Sunday) among 533 passengers, who landed at Port Blair Airport, none of the passengers were found COVID-19 positive during the RT-PCR test.
The Secretary further informed that 170 persons (travelers) bound for N&M Andaman were tested at Ferrargunj in which none was tested COVID-19 positive during Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). Similarly at Heli -pad 12 persons were tested and none of them found COVID-19 positive and at Phoenix Bay jetty also 92 persons were tested, none of them were detected COVID-19 positive while returning back to Port Blair also 98 sample of RAT were taken in which all were found COVID-19 negative.
The mobile testing team conducted tests on 61 persons at Mitha Khari in which all were found negative.
“So today altogether 433 Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) was conducted on persons and none of them were detected COVID-19 positive and altogether 442 samples of RT-PCR test have gone for testing, the results for today’s RT-PCR test are awaited”, the Secretary pointed out.
Giving details about active cases as per reports till yesterday in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is 11 active cases in which all 11 are in South Andaman District, the Secretary said.
The secretary further pointed out that at GB Pant Hospital altogether 01 patient are admitted.
Today till late afternoon altogether 1160 eligible beneficiaries got vaccinated. In which 863 beneficiaries were of the age group above 45 year old and 297 were beneficiaries of the age group above 18-44 year old who got their first dose of vaccine.
The Secretary Health further urged to all the islanders that although the cases have come down, people should always follow COVID Appropriate Behavior properly. Administration is giving relaxation on considering the COVID cases in islands but once the cases increase the restriction will be implemented again, so he strictly urged to residents to follow all COVID guidelines.