Karam Prakash
Tribune News Service
Patiala, September 6
Though it is mandatory for those entering the state to show an RT-PCR negative report or a vaccination certificate, there is reportedly no check on the ground.
The Tribune visited three interstate border entry points, including the biggest at the Shambhu barrier of Haryana, and found no officials checked the required documents to control the movement.
However, the health department claimed that they had screened state-owned buses coming from other states and were conducting rapid antigen tests of travellers who did not have a negative test report or vaccination certificate. Officials said majority of the staff was busy in the vaccination drive and they were not getting enough support from other departments.
In the wake of a dip in Covid-19 cases, health experts said the departments had been complacent and not taking the government’s order seriously.
Harpalpur Senior Medical Officer Dr Rishi said: “Our teams visit Shambhu barrier once a day to conduct tests of travellers because the teams are busy with vaccination and testing of government schoolchildren. Besides, we need more support from the administration to screen travellers.”
Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Prince Sodhi said: “I have already directed my officers to hold regular screening at all three checking points. I will re-check with my officers in this regard.”
No vaccination certificate, RT-PCR checks at Punjab entry points, commuters have free run
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