Covid concerns: Thane housing societies still bar outsiders

THANE: The Covid concerns continue to haunt several Thane societies that still continue to enforce lockdown for outsiders especially technicians leaving residents to endure longer for getting regular maintenance or crucial repair works of domestic consumer goods.
It may be noted that several gadgets including air conditioners, refrigerators, dish washers and TV among others were optimally utilised during the lockdown period and required timely maintenance. However, with the Covid scare rising, many societies refused access to these technicians citing possible contamination unfortunately unmindful of the hassles that residents faced due to this.
A society in Hiranandani estate here has clearly mandated that technicians including delivery boys are strictly prohibited from entering the premises even as Covid cases here haven’t been high. Inconvenienced residents like R Nair says the concern is understood but such blanket bans can end up causing larger hardships for residents instead. Another society has restricted entry and prefers entry to those attending emergencies.
“I have few electronic gadgets that required maintenance and repairs but am forced to either opt to suffer in silence or attempt fixing them myself. My society has barred outsiders unmindful that we are suffering. There is little that can be done unless one gets into confrontation with them,” said Nair.
Another resident complained he had to dismantle his geyser manually and take it to the technician who was disallowed to enter the premises. “I ended up dismantling the geyser as my society members were strict about not allowing any outsider within the complex,” said the resident requesting anonymity.
Technicians attending such complaints complained they are also harassed at several complexes and often turned away. “Nowadays, we are asking residents to either wait till their society eases norms or bring down the gadget to the gate where it can be taken away for servicing. However, it is not easy for bulky items like fridge, AC, washing machines,” said a technician.
Meanwhile, few societies like the one at Saket where they have deployed a team of in-house technicians who assist residents with primary level snags. Minakshi Mishra, a resident says, “Our complex has technicians who attend to primary snags in electronic gadgets or leaks in pipelines without residents having to call for help from outside. This way, there is limited exposure and chances of contamination is minimised,” said Mishra.
However, activists said societies should come over this concern and ensure precautions at the entry points rather than enforcing such blanket bans. “It is incorrect on part of the societies to bar entry of outsiders. It is more prudent to have mandatory scans at the entrance rather than simply barring technicians whose presence would be necessary to attend to some snags or even maintenance issues. We come across many complaints and we try to reason with them to be pliable but nonetheless ensure safety,” said Sitaram Rane, housing activist from Thane district.