Four buses sent to transport stranded folks from Manipur Bhawan, Guwahati
All 84 to undergo COVID-19 test
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 29 2020: The State Government has sent four buses to bring back 84 Manipuris stranded at Manipur Bhavan in Guwahati due to coronavirus inflicted lockdown.

According to Government sources, P Vaiphei Principal Secretary (GAD and Transport) inspected the buses at Mantripukhri and handed over 500 bottles of hand sanitsers and 500 face masks for the stranded State natives and Manipur Bhavan.

The buses were sent after Assam and Nagaland Governments gave the green light, added the source.

Four buses sent to transport stranded folks from Manipur Bhawan, Guwahati

Meanwhile, Additional Director of Health Department and COVID-19 spokesperson, Dr Sashikumar Mangang said that the 84 stranded State natives will be first screened at Mao before they are brought at the quarantine centre set up at Imphal Valley Academy where their samples will be collected.

Those who show suspected symptoms with body temperature above normal at Mao will be immediately rushed to Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) for COVID-19 test, he said.

Those whose results come negative for COVID-19 will be advised to undergo home quarantine while those found positive will be treated at RIMS and JNIMS, he said.

It may be noted that the State Government has already approached the Centre and Railways for evacuation of Manipuris stranded at cities across the country.

On the other hand, many organisations and people have urged the State Government to take up strict preventive measures at quarantine centres in case stranded State natives are brought back.

Welcoming the Government's initiative to bring back those stuck outside Manipur due to lockdown, All India Youth Federation had yesterday urged the State to organise and reinforce quarantine centres before the stranded State natives are brought back.

It had also appealed the Government to set up adequate number of quarantine centres to accommodate the people brought back.

Many organsiations and people have also welcomed the Government initiative but emphasised that the stranded State natives should be tested for COVID-19 and kept at quarantine centres for a period of time before they are allowed to go home.

"If tests are not done for all, home quarantine is risky as almost all households lack the required facilities and precautions needed to be taken up.

Govt should not advise the stranded people brought back to undergo home quarantine," said a health worker on conditions of anonymity citing cases of transmission of the virus from asymptomatic person.