MANGALDAI, March 28 - A sense of fear is prevailing among the people here after an interview of Dr Ashyut Baishya, executive director of NHM, Assam, was telecast on a news channel.
In the interview, the official stated that two girls from Arunachal Pradesh who were co-passengers of the COVID-19 infected Mizoram man during his air journey from Kolkata had dined at Kharkhowa Restaurant near Mangaldai and also spoke with him during their journey towards Tawang.
However, Anupam Deka, one of the owners of the restaurant, said nothing has happened till now, and both the girls as well as all the staff did not show any symptoms.
�I came to know about the visit of the Arunachal girls to our restaurant from Anurag Goel, a senior state government official in Dispur. When I came to know about it, I immediately asked all the 38 restaurant staff, including myself, to go for home quarantine. The girls visited us on March 16 and more than 12 days have passed. I think there is nothing to worry as both the girls who are under strict supervision of the Health department have not developed any symptoms. Moreover, our staff are doing well inside our homes,� he said.
�We never compromise on the hygiene of our restaurant and since March 11, we have maintained protocol for virus prevention like compulsory hand-sanitisation before entering. These measures have proved effective in keeping us safe,� Deka said.
Talking to this correspondent, Dr Jadumani Kataki, Chief Medical and Health Officer, Darrang, said, �Our team is in contact with the 37 persons on the basis of the list provided by the restaurant management. Locals are already in home quarantine and we are making efforts to assure that persons from other districts too get home quarantined. There is nothing to be worried as both the girls are alright.�
