Leh: Commissioner/Secretary Health and spokesperson of UT Ladakh administration, Rigzin Samphel today revealed that all the 34 test samples received from Delhi today are negative. Out of these 25 reports are from Kargil and 9 from Leh district.
Answering the question regarding students studying out of Ladakh, Samphel said the UT Administration is in contact with the student union and assures of full support whenever needed. In addition to the advisory already issued regarding restriction of entry of international tourists within the territorial jurisdiction of district Leh by any means (i.e. Air, Road etc.) till 30th April, 2020, if need arise, similar steps may be initiated by the UT Administration regarding the domestic tourists, answered Samphel.
Concerns regarding non-availability of left-over foods for stray dogs due to closure of restaurants and food courts in both the districts, Samphel informed that the running campaign for stray dogs by the Animal Husbandry Departments will be intensified and dog sanctuaries will be created for them.
Rigzin Samphel appealed to the people to not to listen to the rumours being spread in connection with COVID-19 and in order to dispel such myths the Department of Health and Medical Education UT Ladakh has launched you-tube channel titled ‘COVID-19 Myth-Buster Series’ in local Ladakhi dialect, he announced.
Meanwhile, the media bulletin of the Directorate of Health Services of UT Administration Ladakh stated that the condition of all 8 positive COVID-19 patients of UT Ladakh is stable. The Divisional Commissioner/Secretary Ladakh has already issued an order banning the entry of labours from other states in the UT of Ladakh till 31/03/2020. Another order already issued specifies the carrying out of awareness/publicity of importance of ‘social distancing’ in controlling the spread of COVID-19; cleaning and frequent fumigation/sanitization in all public transport vehicles shall be ensured in coordination with the Health Department/Municipal Committees; no standing of passengers in public transport shall be allowed and one-seat-one-passenger norm shall be enforced.
The District Magistrate/Chairman District Disaster Management Authority Leh in his order has already issued notifications of measures under the Disaster Management Act-2005 regarding restriction of entry of International tourists till 30th April, 2020; non-operation of restaurant, bars, food courts, food joints, street food, kiosks, roadside eateries, community kitchen in Leh District till 31/03/2020, and notification regarding no conferences, workshops, rallies, gatherings, sit-in-protests, labours gathering at Balkhang Chowk, Skampari, Indoor-Stadium etc to be organised till 31/03/2020.
In addition, the Health Department of both Leh and Kargil is conducting awareness training’s related to COVID-19 to medical staff and general public at various health centers and villages of both the districts.