Before arrest, UT cops to screen accused for fever

CHANDIGARH: Two days after a man accused of thrashing a cop was tested positive for novel coronavirus before he was to be lodged in Burail jail, the police on Tuesday issued directions that arrested people should be medically screened for fever before being taken to police stations.
Cops should collect information about the travel history of the accused and check if he has any fever, cough or is suffering from shortness of breath, the police guidelines said.
Charanjit Singh Virk, DSP, UT, said all cops are observing social distancing while arresting any accused. “All the accused will be screened through thermal guns at the point of arrest,” he said.
Sector 26 police had arrested a Bapu Dham resident for allegedly assaulting a constable on May 22. A court sent him in judicial custody on May 23. The authorities, however, tested him for Covid-19 and his report came positive.
The police department has claimed that all six cops who came in contact with the accused were screened at Government Multi-specialty Hospital, Sector 16. Police department has claimed that as all cops were wearing protective gear, there was no need to quarantine them.