Port Blair, April 15: To tackle the recent surge in the COVID positive cases in the South Andaman and to prevent the further spread of virus the Administration has taken various proactive steps.

In this regard media briefing was held in the conference hall of District Office by Shri Suneel Anchipaka, Deputy Commissioner (SA), which was also attended by Shri Ravi Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police (SA).

Addressing the media persons, the DC (SA) briefed that the Administration has already made full proof arrangements for compulsory Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), free of cost for all incoming passengers at Veer Savarkar International Airport so as to curb the chance of any infected person getting through. He further stated that the passengers shall fill the prescribed forms for RAT test to be provided to them by the airlines. The passengers upon arrival would then be transported to Govt. Senior Secondary School, School Line and ITF ground for conduct of RAT tests.

The DC (SA) further informed that after the conduct of RAT test, the persons who are tested negative shall be allowed to proceed further. The passengers (if any) tested positive shall be shifted to Government run COVID Care Centres or designated private hotels on payment basis.

The SP(SA) further informed the media persons that stringent action is being initiated against COVID protocol violators and fine to the tune of 9 lakhs has been collected during the past week. Further for public involvement at large a dedicated telephone no.9531892228 has been set up for the pubic to register complaints against habitual defaulters.

The DC(SA) further urged the media persons to cooperate with the Administration in its fight against the virus and also to motivate the local populace in getting themselves vaccinated. He reiterated that the five-fold strategy of Testing, Tracing, Treatment, COVID appropriate behaviour and vaccination will be meticulously implemented in South Andaman.