MANALI: Forty-two of the around 250 migrant labourers, mostly from Bihar, Jharkhand and Nepal, who were trapped after heavy snowfall blocked the Manali-Leh highway on Sunday night, have tested positive for Covid-19. The daily wagers were on their way to work in projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Ladakh.
After spending hours without proper clothes, food and shelter in the bone-chilling cold, they were provided food and shelter by local residents at Gemur, Jispa and Darcha. Health officials conducted their Covid tests and found 42 positive. All have been isolated. The local residents who helped them are also being traced and tested.
In view of the worsening situation in the valley, the Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner has imposed restrictions on the movement of migrant labourers into the district. “The number of labourers entering Lahaul and going to Ladakh via Lahaul is very high. A large number of labourers have tested positive in the last two days. If there is a major outbreak in the days to come, we may not be able to handle the situation due to inadequate medical facilities in the district,” said Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai.
A negative RT-PCR test report has been made mandatory for all migrant labourers entering Lahaul-Spiti district.