ASTC Conducts Cleaning of Buses as Preventive Measure against COVID-19

Guwahati, March 15, 2020:

In the midst of the ongoing crisis in the country over the outbreak of the novel coronavirus that has claimed close 6,000 lives across the world, the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) has conducted cleaning of its buses as preventive measures.

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To personnel of the ASTC also used sanitation in front of their offices in order to spread the message of "prevention" from the deadly disease. Earlier today, ASTC employess were seen spraying bus seats with disinfectants in a bid to cleanse the virus. These steps are being taken amid rampant rumours of the disease having come to India.

Over in Nagaland, in view of the COVID-19 cases rising in the country, Minister Paiwang Konyak has directed the Secretary, Transport, to write to the concerned department to spray disinfectant to public transport covering all the districts in the state as a precautionary exercise.

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The notice issued by the Minister read, "In the wake of general public being gripped by fear and apprehension of COVID-19 pandemic cases rising in the country(...)the department of Health & Family Welfare has been put on high alert to take precautionary measures to prevent the infection of the state of the novel coronavirus in the state by issuing advisories, awareness campaign and setting up of transitory quarantine points."

In similar news, the Northeast Frontier (NFR) Railway in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus health crisis in the region has withdrawn the provision of blankets and curtains in the air-conditioned coaches of all trains that are operating to and from the different railway stations.

Special emphasis has been laid on the frequent disinfection of coaches in coaching depots under all the five divisions of NFR – Tinsukia, Lumding, Rangiya, Alipurduar and Katihar Sanitation of all critical areas of the coaches are reportedly being done after the rake is released from Pit examination and washing. The Indian Railways have assigned dedicated teams to carry out this task.

A drive is also on since last week to raise awareness on coronavirus (COVID-19) among passengers and people in general in the local languages. Announcements in local languages have also been made through Public Address system in all the stations. Videos showing the precautions to be taken are being played at stations where such facilities are available.

The novel virus has claimed as many as 5,839 lives worldwide, and 74,970 people are currently affected. 5,652 (8%) are said to be in serious/critical condition. Total cases currently is 156,745. Recovered cases stand at 75,936.

Assam has prohibited mass gatherings, shut down movie halls, gyms, swimming pools, postponed exams and suspended visas as a precautionary measure against the health crisis. Northeast States have also closed borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal barring a few Integrated Checkpoints.

Countries like Italy and Spain have taken extreme precautions of locking down the entire country to contain the spread of the virus. While Italy had imposed a complete lockdown, Spain on Saturday evening declared ’emergency’ urging its people to stay home until two weeks. Spain has recently seen a massive outbreak of the COVID-19.

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