The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) on Friday asked the state government to look into all essential aspects which would help it prevent the Covid-19 infection from entering the community transmission phase in the capital.
Welcoming the state government’s decision to impose a seven-day lockdown in the Capital Complex, AAPSU vice-president Meje Taku, said that the primary and secondary contacts of the two frontline workers who tested Covid-19 positive last month, should be re-tested to eliminate any scope of doubt.
Addressing a press conference at the Press Club here, the union leader, while expressing concerns over the possibility of false test results pointed out that the primary and secondary contacts were tested on June 30 whereas the Institute for Mediation & Conflict Resolution (IMCR) guidelines states that tests should be conducted after five to ten days from the day of contact with the infected person.
“All the primary and secondary contacts including the family members of the two Covid-19 positive frontline workers should be re-tested. Also the authorities concerned should utilize the lockdown period to conduct such tests and if required, extend the lockdown,” Taku said.
The union had earlier this week demanded an immediate declaration of lockdown in the Capital Complex after two frontline workers of the state quarantine centre in Lekhi village had tested positive for Covid-19.
While one of the frontline workers is a storekeeper of the quarantine centre, the other works at the thermal screening section. The duo is believed to have contracted the virus without coming in direct contact with any positive patients.
The AAPSU further called for temporary restrictions on the inflow of returnees.
“Since the number of Covid-19 cases in the state is on the increase, returnees should be temporarily restricted from coming back. Such measures will ease the workload of health workers and facilities and more attention can be given to the existing batch of returnees,” Taku said.
The union also demanded an order for closure of all religious institutions be re-issued by the government.
At a time when every institution facilitating large gatherings such as schools, colleges etc are being shut, the state government should not compromise with the safety of the public by opening religious institutions, the AAPSU said.
It appealed the believers to support their demand for the larger interest of the state and its people.
Mandatory sanitization of all vehicles ferrying essential commodities or on medical emergencies entering the check gates and ban on the entry of other private and commercial vehicles for the time being were the other demands of the union.