JSU demands govt to disclose identity of COVID-19 patients

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 13, 2020

The Jaintia Students Union (JSU) Shillong Circle has demanded the state government to disclose the identity of COVID-19 patients to prevent the spread of the disease in the state.

“We appeal (to the government) to disclose the names of people infected (by the virus), for effective contact tracing,” JSU-Shillong Circle said in a statement issued here on Monday.

“Disclosure of names will ensure that people who have been in close contact with the infected may be able to disclose their contact and to avoid from the community spread transmission of COVID 19 and also to ensure following of precautionary steps or protocols laid down. This is a call for transparency in giving information,” it said.

The JSU-SC also suggested that video footages and photographic evidence from the wedding party will aid in the contact tracing exercise. 

It further asked the state government to confirm whether Covid-19 tests for armed personnel such as the Border Security Force (BSF)   and the Army is made mandatory or not and whether the quarantine protocol of 14 days is followed or not by armed personnel when entering the state.

The JSU-SC also reminded that it has issued a statement on May 24, requesting the government to make screening mandatory for armed personnel while alleging that the suggestion was ignored.