Noida: Spell out protocols for antigen testing camps, say residents

NOIDA: A day after TOI reported about how seven Covid patients were confined to a room in the basement of the Grand Omaxe housing society for several hours without food and water, a residents’ group in Noida has demanded that specific protocols be defined for the antigen testing camps being held in the societies.
The Noida Federation of Apartment Owners Association (NOFAA), an umbrella body of RWAs in the city, has said that such camps be held only after proper briefing to the association members about how to go about the process so that the same don’t end up in more infections.
“People tend to avoid visiting the camps due to the fear of infection. We are aware that these testing camps will definitely continue for quite some time and a quick process needs to be built up for the same,” NOFAA president Rajiva Singh said.
Along with a place which allows cross ventilation, ensuring that those coming for the tests don’t touch common avenues like door knobs, usage of multiple chairs rather than a single chair during the camp, sanitisation of the entire area after the camp gets over are some of the issues raised by the Association.
Residents have also suggested that while the RWAs can ensure social distancing, announcements and hospitality for the officials and participants of the camps, it was for the health department to ensure the guidelines are followed.
“Like in the case of Grand Omaxe society where the infected persons had to wait for hours, it should be ensured that they don’t need to stay confined within the premises for too long. So ambulances need to be there for carrying an infected person to the hospital,” Singh said.