Port Blair, April 21: Corona cases in the country as well as in the Islands are rising and with a view to contain the spread of the disease in the Islands, the Administration as a precautionary measure has taken several concrete steps in this regard.  Informing the scribes at a press conference held at IP&T today, the Secretary, IP&T, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh said during RAT conducted at Port Blair, 16 flight passengers have been detected corona positive while another 15 were detected from other places. 10 flights carrying 781 passengers including 7 infants arrived today.

Meanwhile, to curb the transmission of the virus, large gatherings/overcrowding in public places like National Memorial Cellular Jail, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Island including sound & light show, museums, beaches, Baratang caves and all water sports activities in all the three Districts have been suspended for a period of 4 weeks from April 22, he added.

The Secretary mentioned that the Administration has also notified 8 Containment Zones in South Andaman District, where positive cases have been detected. The corona curfew timing has also been revised from 10 pm to 5 am to 9 pm to 5 am.  Coaching centres and tuition centres have also been directed to follow COVID appropriate behavior and protocol.

Speaking about the vaccination drive being conducted in the Islands, he said vaccine doses are being administered smoothly in A&N Islands. He also stated that focus is to vaccinate all above 45 + as early as possible and shift to the next category of 18+ from May 1.

The Director, ANIIMS, Dr. AK Mondal, Director, IP&T, Shri Alok Kumar, Deputy Director, GBP Hospital, Dr. Amitabha De, Deputy Director (IP&T), Shri RS Meena were also present.