Residence at Mawpat that refuses to undergo COVID-19 declared as containment area

Residence at Mawpat that refuses to undergo COVID-19 declared as containment area

Shillong, Sept 19: The District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on Saturday has declared the entire residence of Jngun Marbañiang at Mawpat Circle-III as a containment area so as to restrict unregulated entry and exit on the site.

The order came after the immediate family members (seven high risk primary contacts) of a COVID-19 positive deceased who expired on September 10 from Mawpat Circle-III, have refused to undergo testing for COVID-19.

“The Order is necessitated in view of the reports received from the Incident Commander, Zone-V that the immediate family members (seven high risk primary contacts) of a COVID-19 positive deceased who expired on September 10 and who reside at Mawpat Circle-III, have refused to undergo testing for COVID-19 and it was reported that the Medical Officer in-charge has instructed the family members to undergo COVID-19 testing, and concerted efforts have been made by all concerned including the local Dorbar Shnong to sensitize and convince the family to undergo testing,” an order issued on Saturday said.

Further, the order said that it was understood that the family members are not willing to accept that the deceased person was a COVID-19 positive and in view of the outright refusal, without which the COVID status of the family members is unknown, there is every apprehension that it could lead to spreading of infection and amount to endangering the health of the public at large, if the family members are able to move freely.

“Therefore, it is deemed necessary to declare the entire residence as containment area till such time as the Medical Officer in-charge opines that the probable/suspect of COVID-19 positive cases in the household have recovered or are no longer a risk or till the said persons undergo testing and this would also enable the Medical Officer in-charge to closely monitor the health of the said high-risk primary contacts including in the event of any of them developing symptoms,” the order stated.

The Order also stated that no persons are allowed to move into the containment area and inhabitants within this area shall not move out, besides all inhabitants within the containment area shall strictly remain inside their home.

The Incident Commander, Zone-V, Shillong shall supervise and monitor strict compliance of the order.

Any violation of the order will entail prosecution under the penal provision of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and IPC.