COVID-19 lockdown: Nine migrant workers sent back home
Govt to study opening testing centres at MU, ICAR, IBSD
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 22 2020: In view of the large number of Manipuri people coming back to the State from different parts of the country and the growing need for raising the rate of COVID-19 test, the State Government would study the feasibility of opening COVID-19 test facility at ICAR, Manipur University and IBSD.

A joint meeting of top officials of Health Department, RIMS, JNIMS, IBSD and laboratories where COVID-19 test is done was held today with Chief Secretary Dr J Suresh Babu in the chair.

The meeting discussed about raising the rate of daily COVID-19 test.

With more and more people coming back to the State by train and bus, the number of people confined in quarantine centres who have not yet been tested for COVID-19 has been growing rapidly.

COVID-19 lockdown: Nine migrant workers sent back home

As such, the meeting discussed about studying whether ICAR, MU and IBSD have the necessary equipment and manpower to carry out COVID-19 test.

In addition to 120 samples tested in a day at RIMS and another 250 at JNIMS, one machine each which can test 24 samples in 24 hours was installed at JNIMS and RIMS recently.

Meanwhile nine migrant workers who have been stranded in the State on account of the COVID-19 lockdown were sent back to Delhi today in a special bus arranged by BJP Manipur Pradesh.

The bus carrying the nine migrant workers was flagged from Nityaipat Chuthek office of BJP Manipur Pradesh by its vice presidents Salam Joy and Jyotin Waikhom.

Apart from providing eatables, hand sanitisers and masks, the migrants workers were given Rs 1000 each to meet the travel expenses by BJP Manipur Pradesh.

Speaking to media persons after flagging off the bus, BJP Manipur Pradesh treasurer Robin Blackie said that BJP has opened COVID-19 helplines in all States of India.

Through these helpline numbers, BJP Manipur Pradesh has been providing aid to Manipuri people stranded in different parts of the country, he claimed.

Likewise, BJP State unit has been providing edible and other relief items to migrant workers stranded in the State.

After they contacted the helpline numbers, BJP sought permission of the Home Department to send them back.

The nine migrant workers have been sent back today after obtaining due permission from the Home Department, Robin Blackie said.

He also prayed that the nine migrant workers may reach their homes safe and sound.