Amid the ongoing coronavirus lockdown, Chhattisgarh is gearing up for the return of about 1.50 lakh labourers stranded in different states across India.
State Panchayat Minister T.S. Singhdeo on Friday took stock of the preparations to handle the mass influx which he said will pose "a big challenge".
“Diagnosis and quarantine of labourers coming from other states while keeping locals safe is going to be a big challenge. For this mammoth task, the government is coordinating with various departments and trying to arrange sufficient resources,” he told Panchayat representatives and field officers through video conferencing.
During the meeting, he gave instructions for barricading the quarantine centres besides providing meals, power, water and sanitation facilities.
“People living in the centres will be given food in disposable plates and these plates will be disposed of as per standard practices,” he said.
Singhdeo assured the Panchayat representatives that there is no need to panic as this virus is not airborne and spreads only though sneeze or particles emanating while sneezing.
“By keeping the labourers quarantined in these centres for about 14 days, this risk can be averted. Also, it must be made sure that villagers do not come in contact with people in the quarantine centres."