Festival season: Mohali DC orders extensive Covid testing in district

Tribune News Service
Mohali, October 29

Taking no chances with probability of increase in transmission of novel coronavirus due to enhanced public meetings, interactions and social get togethers in the ongoing festival season, Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan has directed the Civil Surgeon’s Office to conduct extensive sampling in the coming fortnight.

“The recent dip in cases has led many to believe that Covid threat is over. All wish and pray for the same, but can’t take any chances. We can’t let Covid-19 be a spoilsport in festivities. We will not lower the guard till the virus is wiped out,” said Dayalan.

Urging to be extra cautious, Dayalan appealed to the public to adhere to the safety protocol and asked shopkeepers to ensure compliance with health guidelines on their premises.

He directed local health officials to organise special testing camps in markets with special focus on sweetmeat shops, eateries and illumination gadgets/electrical appliances sale outlets as maximum footfall was expected at these places in the coming days.

“In the line of duty, officers and employees working in district level government departments are often in touch with the general public. People come to these offices to get their work done. In such a situation, there is a risk of spreading of virus. So, Covid-19 testing has been mandated for all government employees working in various offices of the district,” Dayalan added.

“Controlling officers of district level offices have been directed to ensure compliance and submit report certifying that their staff has undergone the test by November 10. In case of more than 50 employees in an office, the Civil Surgeon Office has been directed to provide mobile van/testing team for on the spot testing,” said Dayalan. “Similarly, heads of all educational institutions are advised to get their teaching and non-teaching staff tested at the earliest,” Dayalan added.