On Wednesday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed a welcoming stance towards individuals arriving in the state from other countries during the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, she emphasized the imperative need for adherence to safety protocols mandated by the authorities.
This statement followed reports of an 18-year-old student, the first confirmed COVID-19 case in the state, initially resisting doctors’ advice to seek admission to Beleghata ID and BG Hospital. The student, son of a bureaucrat stationed at the state secretariat Nabanna, had arrived in the city from the UK on March 15. Despite being twice advised to undergo hospital checks the next day, the family reportedly delayed compliance by a day.
Banerjee, speaking at an event at Nabanna, criticized the family’s response as irresponsible, emphasizing that individuals arriving from foreign countries are welcomed, but the disease itself is not. She underscored that regardless of VIP or LIP status, everyone must undergo the same COVID-19 testing procedures for safety.
Expressing anger upon learning that the student and his mother had visited a shopping mall, Banerjee insisted that arriving from abroad does not exempt individuals from testing before engaging in public activities.
The Trinamool Congress chief urged people arriving from other countries to remain cautious for at least two weeks and advised regular cleaning of door handles and chair handles. The infected 18-year-old is currently receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease hospital, with 17 other suspected patients admitted.
Banerjee announced a change in the closing time for state government offices, moving from the usual 5 pm to 4 pm starting Thursday. She reasoned that this adjustment would help prevent crowded buses during peak hours. While advising against panic, the chief minister stressed the importance of taking necessary precautions and following proper procedures if there are suspicions of contracting the disease, emphasizing that everyone, regardless of status, is susceptible.
