A CORRESPONDENT
HAFLONG: Although the government and all the frontline warriors have been appealing to people to maintain social distancing, this has hardly happened in Haflong, said Joint Director, Dima Hasao Health Services, Dr Diplai Barman on Thursday.
While addressing media persons at her office chamber, Dr Barman said the 14-day lockdown in the district had definitely controlled the spike in corona cases remarkably. But after lifting the lockdown on Monday, people were seen thronging Haflong market in large numbers. "This has compelled us to think that if people are not willing to maintain the norms then there is every possibility of further spread of coronavirus in this district, which we don't want," said Dr Barman.
The lockdown was lifted with some measures like mandatory swab sample test (both Rapid and RTPCR) for all those who entered Dima Hasao from other districts on July 20 and July 21. From July 22, ATSP (Assam Targeted Surveillance Programme) swab sample tests of all persons entering Dima Hasao started. During such screening, at least five positive cases were detected.
Although the authorities have issued instructions to maintain social distancing, there has been little to no enforcement and people have flaunted the guidelines almost at will since the lockdown was lifted.
Meanwhile, Executive Members, N C Hills Autonomous Council, Ngamrothang Hmar and Nandita Gorlosa, who are monitoring the tests and screening of people entering the district at the entry points, appealed to all the citizens of Dima Hasao to maintain social distancing and other COVID protocol at any cost to protect themselves from coronavirus.