TT driver tests Covid positive : Call for frontline tag raised
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 11 2021:
One driver of a Manipur-bound TT has been tested positive after he underwent COVID-19 (RAT) test at Khatkhatti, Assam.
However, the driver's helper turned out to be negative even though they have been staying together at Khatkhatti for the past one week.
After the oil tanker has been confirmed positive, officials of Malom oil depot barred the driver and his helper from unloading fuel at the depot today.
Subsequently, the Malom oil depot has instructed all TT drivers to take utmost care against COVID-19.An order issued by the IOCL's Malom Senior Depot Manager has instructed all transporters and transporters cum dealers to ensure that all TT crews are provided face masks, hand sanitisers and other protective materials to the required quantity.
If crew members of TTs show symptoms of COVID-19, they should go for self isolation instead of reporting at the depot.
They should also promptly inform the Senior Depot Manager for RAT, or RT-PCR tests, mentioned the order.
Notably, IOCL and Shija Hospital have launched a collaborative initiative to test TT crews for COVID-19 but no actual test has been started yet.
Meanwhile, the All Manipur RO Dealers' Association has urged the State Government to recognise oil pump staff and TT crews as frontline warriors.
All types of people come to oil pumps for refuelling and nobody can say if any of these customers are COVID-19 positive.
Moreover, ambulances engaged in ferrying COVID-19 patients also come to oil pumps for refuelling, said the association.
According to a guideline issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, pumpmen working in petrol pumps and TT crews who have been transporting fuel from outside the State should be treated as frontline warriors.
But the State Government is yet to enlist them as frontline warriors.
As such, no special vaccination programme has been arranged for them, it lamented.
The association said that they would submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister tomorrow demanding recognition of oil pump workers and TT crews as frontline warriors.