The J&K government has urged people to voluntarilyreport to authorities if they have a recent travel history to coronavirus-hitcountries amid heightened concerns that those returning from abroad wereevading screening and raising the possibility of the spread of the virus.
Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Shahid Iqbal Choudhary saidauthorities were flooded with messages about travellers concealing their travelhistory, and urged them to “act responsibly” to break the chain oftransmission.
He said authorities were concerned as the travellers wouldhave mingled with the local population.
The government appealed to students, particularly, who havenot declared their travel history and asked family members, neighbours toreport such cases through helpline numbers 0191-2549676 at UT level,0191-2520982, 2674444, 2674115 (Jammu division) and 0194-2440283, 2430581.
“Trust me if I share a summary of daily events NONE inKashmir will sleep. Let’s keep our egos aside, work collectively and instead ofraising panic and alarm help each other to improve. This 3rd World War. Nothingless. If it passes we will have a Lifetime for all that,” the seniorofficial warned.
He said surveillance teams were able to track 29 peoplecoming from Bangkok, the UK, Dubai, Bangladesh and Kazakhstan, who skippedmedical teams by changing routes or avoiding travel history.
In another tweet, Choudhary said, “Two brothers. SameMedical College in Bangladesh. One travels by air, declares travel historylands in Quarantine. Other takes road goes home, probably enjoyed Wazwan. Smartneighbour informs Control Room. Team got in touch. Symptomatic. WHO guidelineslecture please?”
“A girl coming from US posed as Student returning fromBangladesh. A ‘thick skinned babu’ (as we are called) insisted on passportwhile allotting room, got to know. USA 3rd highest COVID cases in the world. Ineed to attend another lecture on WHO guidelines now!!,” he said.
He cited another case of a man trying to evade thecoronavirus protocol, saying a gentleman coming from Italy reached New Delhivia another port.
“Takes train to Jammu n Cab to home in #Srinagar. Justto hide travel history. Traced. Need collective focus to handle it. Things arenot that simple as they appear from homes & office rooms. WHO guidelinesanyone?” he tweeted.