GURUGRAM: UP could take a leaf out of the Haryana book to increase its Covid surveillance at the
border, and not repeat what Noida did last week when it deployed police to stop commuters for rapid antigen tests.
At the Gurugram-Delhi borders in Sirhaul and Kapashera,
camps were set up as early as July after Unlock 4 was announced. So far, the health department has conducted over 1,600 tests at Sirhaul and 700 in Kapashera, besides 500 at the Kherki Daula toll, without any additional police presence.
Camps have also been creating awareness for weeks and have witnessed individuals walk up voluntarily to get themselves tested. Gurugram’s chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Virender Yadav said that there was a taboo associated with testing earlier but awareness has helped remove it. “These camps are not just testing points, they also spread awareness. People eventually got used to the idea of getting tested,” he said, adding 1,623 camps have been held across the city since July 1.
Explaining the process, Yadav said, “We started with containment areas first and then gradually began covering other places. We conduct random testing and don’t force people. In case anyone doesn’t want to get tested, our teams give them pamphlets that mention the benefits, the pros and cons. Initially, the footfall was less but it increased later.”
He added that since the health department started testing camps in July when people were just getting used to the idea of stepping out after the lockdown, the idea was accepted more easily. Besides, since commuters are not forced to get tested at these camps, it has not affected traffic movement.
Asked how these camps are set up, an official said the health department sends a van with five staffERS to border points for testing. They set up a registration point where commuters can mention details such as contact number and address proof, following which a swab sample is collected by paramedics. “The sample is then put into the antigen kit and in less than 15 minutes, the commuter gets the result,” the official added.