Former Punjab CM Parkash Badal’s residence declared micro-containment zone

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, August 22

As eight security men, including an SP, attached with former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal have tested positive for Covid, the latter’s residence has been declared a micro-containment zone. It means for the time being no one can go to meet the Badals at their residence.

While speaking over the phone, Dr Manju, senior medical officer (SMO), Civil Hospital, Badal, said, “The number of Covid positive patients from the former CM’s residence has crossed the mark of five, thus we are declaring it micro-containment zone. No outsider will now be allowed to go and meet anyone. Similarly, those remaining inside will be isolated there itself.”

She added, “Two security men were earlier tested Covid positive and since then we are taking the samples of everyone residing or deployed there. The samples of nearly 120 people have been already collected and the remaining people, including the members of Badal family, too will be covered soon.”

She said the former CM due to his old age was already advised home isolation.

Meanwhile, sources said an official, SP (Security), was presently admitted to a private hospital in Mohali. They added that earlier two commandos of the CISF tested positive and today five more security men were tested positive.

Besides, some residents of Badal village, including two employees of a bank, too have been tested Covid positive.

Dr HN Singh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Muktsar, said, “The norms of micro containment zone will be followed at the former CM’s residence.”

Notably, former CM Parkash Singh Badal, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal are presently residing at Badal village.

Though Parkash Badal has mostly remained indoors during the ongoing Covid pandemic, Sukhbir and Harsimrat have travelled and held some meetings as well.

Sources said some of their contacts too were undergoing Covid test.