Ranchi: With the state capital witnessing the lion’s share of Covid-19 cases over the past few days, the district administration will deploy mobile Covid testing vans for random testing across all the popular tourist spots in and around Ranchi in view of the surge in footfall on January 1.
Speaking to TOI on Wednesday, deputy commissioner Chhavi Ranjan said, “I have already asked the officials concerned to make arrangements for Covid tests at key places like Jonha, Hundru falls etc., which are expected to attract a large number of New Year revellers. Those seen without masks or found violating other safety norms, will be tested on the spot and if required, we will also slap cases on them under relevant provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act.” He added, “Considering the spike in cases in the district, it is important to go for such strict measures.”
At a time when the virus is on a downward trend across Jharkhand, Ranchi on Tuesday, for instance, recorded 107 new cases and of the five deaths in Jharkhand, it reported three.
While amusement parks and picnic spots across state have remained shut since the lockdown in March, the roads leading up to the dams and waterfalls are expected to be crowded during New Year. Sources in the tourism department said they have put up posters and hoardings across major tourist spots highlighting the dos and don’ts for preventing the virus spread.
The Jharkhand Paryatan Suraksha Samiti (JPSS), which is an outfit of paryatak mitras appointed by the tourism department for maintenance of the tourist spots, have decided to ban the consumption of liquor and tobacco across all spots. JPSS president Raj Kishore Bedia said, “We held a meeting at Hundru falls on December 18 with the local police where we decided to prohibit drinking in view of the pandemic and also to prevent mishaps. We appeal to the visitors not to indulge in drinking and anyone caught doing so, will be handed to the police.”
Ranchi Police, on the other hand, has already kicked off a vehicle checking drive across some key locations to check instances of speeding and drunk driving. A few days ago, city SP Saurabh had said that special teams will be deployed on December 31 to prevent drunk driving, speeding and violation of Covid norms. “On January 1, our vigil will be stepped up at the picnic spots to ensure compliance of the safety norms,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ranjan further said that all the eateries, hotels, pubs and clubs organising New Year parties on December 31 and on January 1 have been asked to keep the addresses and phone numbers of all their guests.
While some hotels, like Radisson Blu and Capitol Hill, and Ranchi Club are not going to host any new year parties/programmes this year in view of the pandemic, some have decided to go ahead with their plans. “Those hosting parties will have to face the music in case there is violation of norms. The establishments need to make sure that the guests are wearing masks and maintaining other norms,” Ranjan said.
As per the last Unlock guidelines issued by the state government, a maximum 200 people at a time are allowed for indoor establishments and 300 for outdoor ones, subject to the availability of space.