Rapid tests on borders for migrants coming back to Delhi

NEW DELHI: Migrants coming back to the capital from different states are now being tested for Covid-19 in border areas. Delhi government has asked the district authorities to set up camps in areas like Anand Vihar, Seemapuri, Vivek Vihar and Wazirabad to carry out rapid antigen tests.
One of the first camps has come up at Anand Vihar, a major interstate transit hub. “Guidelines have been issued by the government and the districts with border entry points are setting up such camps.Though interstate bus services have not resumed, migrants are coming by buses from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and getting dropped near Kaushambi,” said a senior district official. “These people cross the road and take local buses from Anand Vihar ISBT to reach different parts of Delhi,” he added.

Similar camps have come up or are coming up in other areas but the lion’s share of people travelling from other states come to Anand Vihar, the official said. “Civil defence volunteers help manage the crowd and ensure they queue up for testing while maintaining social distancing. Delhi Police has also helped us maintain order and safety norms,” he said.
The camp at Anand Vihar, which came up on Thursday, tested more than 200 people till 2pm on Friday. “One person’s report came positive on Thursday while four were found positive on Friday. Since all of them were asymptomatic, they have been sent to the nearby Commonwealth Games Village Covid Care Centre. Symptomatic patients will be taken to designated hospitals,” the official said.
It is not possible to test everyone coming to the ISBT, the district official said. “We are testing every fourth or fifth person in the queue. They are made to wait till the results arrive and are allowed to board local buses only if results are negative.”
Similar camps will be set up at the Delhi-Haryana border and Delhi government is also planning an awareness campaign for those migrants returning by other modes of transport. “People who may have come in private vehicles or by other means will be encouraged to get themselves tested at the nearest centres. The campaign will be carried out in areas with high migrant population,” a government official said.