The Ajmer city’s municipal corporation (AMC) has been taking proactive measure since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic.
According to a press release, AMC set up a COVID-19 ‘war room’ at Nagar Nigam. The centre is headed by senior Ajmer administrative officials, medical professionals, and police officers to monitor the situation and take action to reduce the spread of COVID-19 among its citizens.
Some of the key initiatives launched by the city’s administration are:
Public Address system (PA)- Awareness drives related to COVID-19 are being broadcast regularly using PA systems, along with updates from AMC’s fire and sanitation departments. Regular surprise field visits are organised by the city collector and commissioner to review the groundwork and take feedback from the citizens directly.
Surveillance technologies: The city provides real-time tracking of the disinfection and sanitation workers with GPS-based technology.
ICCC- The Abhay Command and Control Centre is being used by city police and traffic department. CCTV camera footage is accessed to monitor live traffic movement and public movement.
COVID-19 helpline: A helpline is being monitored by war room officers. This helpline is used for food supply requirements, disinfection, and sanitation services.
Food and shelter: Homeless citizens are being shifted to a designated city shelter. Cooked food and essential things are provided in the selected localities. In the war room, complaints are received from people that need food. Dry foods have been distributed after a physical verification by the flying squad magistrates.
Use of fire tenders for disinfection: The city’s fire force is using big fire tender to disinfect different locations, like the main roads of the city, bus stands, bus stops, railway stations, institutions, hospital campus, shops etc. small fire tenders are being used to disinfect whole city ward streets.
Setting up quarantine facilities- Hotels and other private institutions are setting up quarantine facilities in the city. Contact tracing of positive cases is being carried out and potential patients are being kept in quarantine centres as per healthcare guidelines.
RAJ COP application: This app is used to issue e-passes for inter-state and inter-city movement. Passes are approved by designated city officials for people who want to go outside Rajasthan or who want to come into the city.
Stranded labourers of other states can also register on the RAJ COVID INFO APP and e-Mitra website; arrangements are being made for safe transportation of registered users to their destinations.
Pilgrims who were held up in Ajmer due to the lockdown have been identified and have been sent to their respective destinations by trains and buses after a medical check-up and screening in line with healthcare guidelines.
The centre is also instrumental in the planning and implementation of various innovative strategies to spread awareness among the residents for the COVID-19 precautionary steps issued by WHO and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Some of which include:
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick; maintain a distance of 6 feet.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces every day. High-touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
- Staying out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
- Taking your temperature if symptoms develop.