Security on corona edge in Ayodhya’s global oasis of faith

AYODHYA: As thousands of devotees from across India and the world visit Ram Janmabhoomi premises every day, security forces guarding the site have been asked to be wary of coronavirus (Covid-19) threat. And they are on the edge and scrambling for masks.
A senior police officer, not willing to be named, said: “Around 20,000-30,000 devotees visit Ram Janmabhoomi premises every day. Devotees from foreign countries, including Nepal, and Indian states which share border with China, also visit Ayodhya.”
“We are taking steps to ensure safety of personnel deployed on Ram Janmabhoomi premises. They have been given masks and gloves. They are undergoing regular medical checkups,” he said. Chief medical superintendent of Sri Ram Hospital, Dr Anil Kumar, said, “A special team of 10 doctors, including paramedical staff, has been constituted to deal with any emergency situation.”
A 32-year-old man, Rukhsar Khan of Rudauli in Ayodhya, was quarantined as a suspected case of coronavirus at Lokbandhu hospital in Lucknow after he returned from Dubai on Tuesday.
He was diagnosed with high fever during medical screening at Lucknow airport for travellers coming from abroad and was directly sent to Lokbandhu hospital.