NE NEWS SERVICE
PUDUCHERRY, MARCH 15
The Puducherry government on Sunday declared holiday for all KG and primary schools in the Union Territory until further orders as part of precautionary measures to contain spread of coronavirus.
The territorial government has launched a slew of measures to contain spread of the disease which include screening of passengers arriving in the union territory by various modes of transports. Workers attached to the ASHA unit (Accredited Social Health Activists) would be visiting every household to generate awareness among people about ”dos and donts” to be followed to keep virus at bay.
Education Minister R Kamalakannan told reporters here that the pre-KG and primary schools would remain closed from tomorrow until further orders.
Mahe region, an enclave of Puducherry in Kerala has already declared holiday for the pre KG and primary schools. After chairing a meeting of officials of various departments, Puducherry District Collector T Arun told reporters that the government has stepped up surveillance at all points bordering neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Passengers arriving by various modes of transports were being screened at check posts in Gorimedu, East Coast Road, Anumanthai and Madagadipet linking Puducherry with neighbouring districts of Tamil Nadu. Appealing to people not to panic, the District collector said, “all precautionary steps were taken to prevent spread of the disease.” Tourists staying at hotels and guest houses should present self declaration and if they were from foreign countries they should declare their native countries, he said.
Lt Governor Kiran Bedi has also launched measures to spray disinfectant solutions at the main gates to Raj Nivas. In a whatsapp message to media, she said she had put off all programmes slated to be held on the premises of Raj Nivas.
