Covid-19 survivor nurse denied entry to flat in Thane high-rise

THANE: A male nurse who recovered from Covid was denied entry to his rented flat by neighbours in Thane and was kept waiting outside for nearly six hours on Friday despite repeated pleas to be let in. He was let in after he gave an undertaking that he and his five roommates would vacate the flat within a fortnight. Three of his five roomies, who also tested positive, have undergone treatment. The other two are in quarantine.
The nurse alleged that neighbours of the high-rise located on Ghodbunder Road feared that his presence could risk the chance of the infection spreading. He was allowed entry after the private hospital that he works for sent staff to sanitise the 12th floor on which he lives.
The housing society, on its part, alleged that the six men who share the flat failed to maintain hygiene on the premises despite repeated requests.
“The society members said that my presence could risk infection to others... I was weak after treatment and pleaded with them to let me at least have food and water,” said the nurse who hails from Kerala.
The society members said their action followed several warnings issued to the six tenants of the flat. “They were not complying with safety norms even during the pandemic, posing health risk to others. Neighbours complained that they often dropped used masks from their flats or spat in the society compound. We had given them adequate warning,” said a resident.