Jamshedpur: In view of the rising rush of picnickers at different tourist spots in and across the city, the district administration has decided to start on spot drive to conduct Covid-19 tests. The drive that started on Sunday will continue till January 15. Though COVID-19 cases are on the decline, the administration is not willing to take any letdown. The administration has relaunched the drive taking those violating social distancing into task.
About 1,000 picnickers who had made their footfalls at the Jubilee Park having come from different parts of the steel city and also from Bengal and Odisha were subjected to Covid test by the district health department officials in cooperation with the police. A police party had first carried out a survey of the famous picnic spot at about 11 am, and subsequently made all the picnickers, including women and children to undergo rapid antigen test (RAT). Out of which one youth was tested positive.
With the threat of a fresh wave of COVID-19 looming large, the administration has focussed on conducting more tests and spreading awareness. As per the plans health teams will be deputed near picnic spots like Dimna Lake, Hudco Dam in Telco and Kanderbera, NH 33. With the closure of Jubilee Park, the rush has increased in different spots located at the outskirts of the city.
“ We have deputed health teams at various picnic spots. We will conduct Antigen tests and those found positive will be sent to Covid Care Centre. The rush during New Year is a major concern. We want people not to assemble in groups. They must wear masks and use sanitizers and follow social distancing norms,” said an official. He said that if this mega festival passes off safely, COVID-19 situation will be under control.
He noted that there are chances of further increase in COVID-19 cases due to public or religious gathering. Steps are taken to ensure safety at picnic spots since New Year is inching closer. The security arrangements have been fairly strict with about a dozen guards in each of the spots, keeping the crowd under control besides monitoring their safety, he further added.
Every year, from mid of December to the end of January tourists from the different parts of the state and also from neighbouring Bengal come here for a picnic at Dalma hills, Dimna lake, Burudih Dam, Galudih resort, Narwa, and Hudco Lake.