The decision has been taken by Dehradun Health Department to reduce the risk of the spread of the deadly disease in Uttarakhand. Reportedly, the tests will be conducted not only at the airport but at the railway station, and the Asharodi check post in Dehradun too. Dehradun Health Department has also informed that the COVID-19 testing at the border is free of charge. But, tourists may have to pay the charges in the coming days.
Uttarakhand has made it mandatory for people travelling from Delhi to the state to undergo a COVID-19 test at the Jollygrant Airport in Dehradun. This move comes in the wake of rising Coronavirus cases in the national capital.
Reportedly, Dehradun Health Department has decided to conduct mandatory tests of people arriving from Delhi. As per the reports, the tests will take place at the airport and railway station, apart from the Asharodi check post in Dehradun.
As per a random sampling round of around 1000 people that was carried out in the past week, as many as 29 people tested positive at the Doon border. Reports state that of those infected with the virus, 25 were from Delhi-NCR.
Also, in the wake of tourist season when it is expected that more tourists will be thronging the region, Uttarakhand administration has started precautionary measures beforehand.
Elaborating on this, Dr RK Dixit, District Surveillance Officer, Dehradun, said that it has been found there has been extensive movement of people from Delhi to Uttarakhand, especially to Dehradun, in the past fortnight. He added that people from the capital are coming here mainly for weddings and short vacations, and thus it is important to test them before they move to the hills or other tourist places.
As per the Health Department officials, testing at the border is being conducted free of charge for now, and might have to be paid for in the coming days.
Nainital is also considering starting COVID testing at its border. Nainital CMO Dr Bhagirathi Joshi said that the final decision regarding this will soon be taken by the district administration.
Haridwar Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr SK Jha also added that random COVID sampling is being done at the city border for those coming from Delhi, especially those who halt in Haridwar.
News Courtesy: TOI
