New Delhi, March 19
The government on Thursday said there are eight confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ladakh and claimed that the deadly virus entered the union territory through pilgrims, who returned from Iran.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in an official release said a total of 58 people are quarantined in hospitals in Ladakh and 18 people, including positive cases, are in hospitals in isolation.
“Presently there are eight confirmed cases, which include one Army jawan in Ladakh. Covid-19 has reached Ladakh through the pilgrims, who returned from Iran,” it said.
Giving details of the measures taken by the UT administration, the MHA in the release said, “In order to regulate gathering of five or more people, the district administration of Leh and Kargil have imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC.”
The mobile shops are also being operated in both the districts, which are delivering essential supplies to people in houses and localities, it added.
“All Iran returnees, and their relatives, contacts and others suspected cases number 284. Of these 208 persons are in home quarantine and are being monitored daily by health workers and of these 150 have completed the mandatory 14 days of quarantine. 58 persons are quarantined in hospitals and 18 persons (including positive cases) are in hospitals in isolation,” the MHA release said.
As part of the measures, the UT administration has barred passenger movement by road through the Zojila Pass, besides 100 per cent screening of arriving at all the three airports, it said.
Also the UT administration has barred all conferences, workshops, rallies, gatherings, sit-in-protests, labourer gatherings throughout Ladakh, the MHA said, adding that all these orders and measures will “remain in effect till April 15, 2020”.
