Coronavirus: Misbehaviour will invite legal action, says Gautam Budh Nagar DM

NOIDA: With the number of positive cases increasing in Noida, health officials have warned of strict action against people stigmatising fellow residents or expatriates with recent travel history to coronavirus-affected countries. RWAs, however, say the panic is due to the confusion over protocols in place for coronavirus.
District magistrate BN Singh said that clear instructions have been given to all RWAs about how to report suspected cases and what will be done in case of a positive case.“All societies also have to report on a daily basis about any such case. There is absolutely no need to panic as we are fully prepared. If people still mishave with those with recent travel history and their families or foreign nationals, then legal action can be taken against them.”
Despite instructions from the district administration to report suspected cases and what to do to prevent infection, there are increasing panic calls to the health department.
“We are receiving several calls every day for the past few days that are just based on fear. We have informed multiple times that people only need to take precautions related to sanitation, but some are complaining even when they see a neighbour sneezing. Others are calling to get full sanitation done for their premises even if there are no suspected cases,” said a health department official.
“Multiple complaints have also been received about expats living in some societies. At least three societies have complained about expat residents and want them to be screened and isolated even if they do not have any symptoms,” the official said.
On the other hand, RWA members say that the initial panic is because of the cases being detected. “There is initial panic among residents in some areas when a case comes. But this is only because not everyone is fully aware,” said Rajesh Sahay, secretary general, Noida Federation of Apartment Owners’ Associations (NOFAA).
Officials from district administration said that one of the main aims of the door-to-door survey teams is to inform people about the virus. “We are sending the teams mainly to inform residents about the disease and what precautions and personal hygiene steps can be taken,” said Rajeev Rai, SDM Dadri.