Photo Source: ANI
Srinagar prepares to contain COVID-19 Omicron variant, sets up free, paid quarantine centres
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), December 7, 2021 (ANI): In the wake of rising cases of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, the Union Territory government has taken necessary steps to contain the spread of the virus that include the constitution of free and paid quarantine services for the travelers.
Speaking to ANI, Nodal officer of Quarantine center Srinagar, Dr. Mudasir Nabi said, "The Disaster Management Authority of Srinagar or Chief Medical officer (CMO) have established free and paid quarantine centers. We have a marriage hall and Haj House as free quarantine centers and four hotels as the paid quarantine centers. An option is given to the travelers at Airport to choose between the free and paid centers."
"The CMO, Srinagar has constituted teams that include the Nodal officer, doctors who monitor the test reports and verify before leaving the travelers," he added.
Incharge of the isolation center, Muzaffar Ahmad told ANI that the government has taken good steps to contain the spread of the virus adding that the isolation center has all the necessary facilities.
"The government has taken a very nice step to contain the new variant of COVID-19, Omicron. The isolation center built here has all the facilities. The beds are in place. The facilities for the travelers are good here," he said.
Ahmad further appealed to the travelers not to keep their problems from the authorities and said that the public has a big role to play in containing the virus.
"I want to appeal to the travelers who visit here not to hide any problems from the authorities. Hiding may lead to problems in the region. The government has taken a good step, we are ready too. The public has a big role to play in this, we need cooperation from them," he said.
Manager of New Park Hotel, Bashir Ahmad said, "We offer complimentary breakfast to the customers. We have a tie-up with the district administration. They have issued us a few guidelines and we are adhering to all of them."
The new variant of COVID-19 was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from South Africa on November 25. As per the WHO, the first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on November 9 this year.
On November 26, the WHO named the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, which has been detected in South Africa, as 'Omicron'. The WHO has classified Omicron as a 'variant of concern'. (ANI)