In 8 biggest Covid clusters, movement curbs till July 14

Gurgaon: From 10am on Tuesday, areas in eight wards in the city, identified as ‘large outbreak regions’, will implement strict restrictions on movement, which will remain in place till July 14. Health officials will also conduct antigen testing in these areas to understand the extent of the spread of Covid-19.
More than half of Gurgaon’s Covid cases have been reported from the following areas in the eight wards — Dundahera police station road, Aggarwal Sweets Gali (Sector 21), Dundahera Community Centre and Vishal Mega Mart street in Ward 4; Arjun Nagar, Jyoti Park and Madan Puri in Ward 16; Rattan Garden and Shivpuri in Ward 17; Shivaji Nagar and Shanti Nagar in Ward 20; Baldev Nagar, Firoz Gandhi Colony and Ravi Nagar in Ward 21, Heera Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and Shivaji Park in Ward 22, Hari Nagar and Shakti Park in Ward 23 and Nathupur abadi in Ward 35.
The eight large outbreak regions are densely populated, and ensuring social distancing has been one of the key problems. The regions will now be placed under curbs similar to the ones in the city’s 106 containment zones. Movement will be banned, and only essential shops and commercial establishments will be allowed to operate in these areas.
The district magistrate has directed sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) and assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) to identify the boundaries of the large outbreak regions, specify entry and exit points, and to ensure that essential and emergency services are provided in these areas. The local councillors and resident welfare associations (RWAs) have been asked to aid the implementation of the orders and give feedback.
“Entry and exit points will be closed and movement will be allowed only in case of an emergency,” police commissioner Mohammad Akil said, adding that authorities will ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential items.
Thermal scanning and screening will be conducted at all exit and entry points. At exit points, rapid antibody testing of symptomatic people has been advised.
Health officials, meanwhile, have set up camps in 11 areas in the city, eight of which are in the outbreak regions. The health department aims to test 2,000 people every day, of which 1,200 will be from the outbreak regions.
“The first phase of testing will take place from tomorrow till July 14. In each outbreak region, we plan to cover 150 people,” said a health department official.
A total of 56 rapid response teams, comprising lab technicians, a medical officer and the supervisor in-charge, will conduct antigen testing at 39 centres across the outbreak areas. While 13 teams have been deployed for Dundahera police station road, Aggarwal Sweet Gali and Dundahera Community Centre Street, seven teams will be placed at Vishal Mega Mart street. A total of 12 teams are for Arjun Nagar and another eight for Jyoti Park, Madan Puri, Rattan Garden, Shivpuri, Baldev Nagar, Firoz Gandhi Colony and Ravi Nagar. While six teams have been deployed for Shivaji Nagar, Shanti Nagar, Hari Nagar, five others will conduct testing in Heera Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Shivaji Park and Shakti Park. Five teams have been deployed for Nathupur abadi. The 56 rapid response teams will be supervised by seven teams.