Surat: Health teams of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) intensified testing of people entering the city from outside at the entry points. Testing has also been tightened at railway station and airport as the number of Covid-19 cases has registered a rise again.
A dyeing unit in Pandesara was closed by the SMC after 10 workers were found positive in two days. The health department barricaded and closed Ganga dyeing premises declaring it as a containment zone.
“Two on Wednesday and eight on Thursday were found positive after which the dyeing unit was closed. Similar actions have been taken against a few education institutions where multiple cases of Covid-19 were detected,” said A K Naik, deputy commissioner (Health).
Ten cases were found positive in Barfiwala college after which SMC’s Katargam zone closed down the college. “Two days ago, two students were found positive after which eight more were found to be positive and hence, the college has been shut down. Ten cases were also found in different schools after which these too have been ordered to remain closed,” said a health official.
City municipal commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani held a meeting with the textile business and community leaders at SMC headquarters on Friday and requested them not to celebrate Holi in the market area to avoid gathering of people in large numbers. The textile business groups, market associations and social groups have agreed to the suggestion. The Rajasthani community in the city traditionally celebrates Holi in a grand manner every year.
Pani visited Bhatiya checkpost, the first point of entry to the city from Maharashtra side, to examine the testing process. SMC has also ensured that places where large number of people usually visit during weekends remain close on Saturday and Sunday. “Malls, multiplexes, movie theatres, game zones and exhibitions have been ordered to remain closed in Athwa zone area. The majority of these establishments are in this zone and the rise of cases here is also higher,” said a senior SMC official.
The health department ordered schools and colleges to keep their canteens closed where students gather in large number. “This is done to avoid the spread of the virus further,” said a health official. Orders have also been issued to keep Dumas beach closed during the weekend and urged police to ensure that visitors are kept away from the popular picnic destination.