Inmates in relief camps violate social-distancing norms

GUWAHATI: Even though thefear of spreading COVID-19 had prompted the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) to introduce new flood relief camp management guidelines, inmates in the majority of such camps are violating the same due to alleged lack of monitoring by the respective district administration.

The current wave of flood has affected nearly 10 lakh people in 23 districts. Approximately 28,000 people are staying in relief camps set up in different districts by the respective administration.

The guidelines has prescribed at least seven square meter space for each inmate as against the 3.5 sq meter space maintained in relief camp during the floods. This is aimed at ensuring at least one meter space between two inmates.

"Identify additional relief camps in addition to the existing pre-identify camps as per population density of villages to earmark space for social distancing. Ensure sufficient hand-wash/soap, sanitizers, masks for the camp inmates. The relief camp premises should be strictly notified as no-spitting, no tobacco zone," the new guidelines included in the 'Assam Disaster Management Manual-2015' said.

Sources pointed out that despite instructions issued by the administration of the flood-affected districts, inmates in the majority of relief camps are not following the COVID safety protocols. "Lack of effective monitoring mechanism by the administration is the prime reason for non-adherence COVID protocols by inmates," the source said.

"There should be pre-identification of the medical facilities such as ambulances for transportation of the infected and nearby isolation units. In case of sneezing, cough, fever and common cold, immediate medical supervision should be made; and he/she should be kept separately as per the COVID-19 norms and regulations. Besides, e-help desks should be facilitated in all the operational relief camps with the help of Pratirodhi Bondhu (volunteers) as counselor/ facilitator. The Special Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be prepared in collaboration with ASDMA for distribution of relief items/cooked food adhering precautionary measure as per COVID-19 norms and regulations," the guidelines said.

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