236 Indian nationals from Coronavirus-hit Iran landed at Jaisalmer on Sunday. They have been shifted to a quarantine facility (wellness centre) in the Jaisalmer cantonment area.
The Indians reached Jaisalmer civil airport by two planes and were transferred to the facility by bus. District collector Namit Mehta, SP Kiran Kang and other senior administrative officers were present at the airport when the passengers arrived.
According to Army officials, all the 236 passengers were tested negative for Coronavirus. However, they have been kept in a 14-day quarantine as a precautionary measure. They were evacuated from Iran on March 15.
This is part of the Indian government’s initiative to evacuate its nationals stranded in coronavirus-affected countries like Italy and Iran. As a precautionary measure, these evacuated persons are being kept under quarantine for 14 days.
The wellness centre at Jaisalmer is a fully equipped and functional medical facility and soldiers have volunteered to provide care and support to the persons returning from foreign countries.
According to additional chief secretary medical and health department Rajasthan, Rohit Kumar Singh said, “236 Indian citizens evacuated from Iran have landed at Jaisalmer. They have been shifted to the quarantine facility at the Army cantonment in Jaisalmer. Both Army and civil Administration are jointly ensuring that adequate care is provided to the returnees.”
Meanwhile, three patients – a 69-year-old Italian and his wife, and an 85-year-old Jaipur resident with travel history to Dubai – who tested positive, are now Coronavirus free.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot addressed a meeting of district collectors through video conferencing to take stock of the Corona virus preparedness in the state. He appealed to the people to take the disease seriously and to avoid going to crowded places, fairs, functions, gatherings and public places. He said that instead of banning fairs and religious events, efforts should be made to make people aware. He asked the health department to get the pamphlets printed and distributed among the public at gram panchayat with the help of Asha sahayoginis, ANMs and nursing students.
He sought information from district collectors of Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu and other districts which are a favoured destination of foreign tourists. Gehlot asked them to conduct door to door awareness campaign and ensure proper screening at airport, railway stations, bus stands, hotels and other places.
The Army Wellness Centre is working in total synergy with the Civil Administration Airport authorities and Air Force to ensure proper care is provided to all evacuated citizens. Prophylactic measures are being taken to prevent spread of the contagion.
Awareness campaigns are being undertaken to educate the peopie about COVID-19. Military and Civil Authorities at Jaisalmer have urged the people to take adequate precautions against COVID-19. They have assured them that there is no need to panic as requisite medical infrastructure is in place to handle any eventuality.
The Indian Army’s coordinated efforts with the local administration is bound to succeed in fighting out COVID-19 from India. The team work being carried out by multiple agencies at Jaisalmer is a source of confidence.
