Be ready for COVID-19 emergencies in your society, says BMC

AS the number of cases in residential buildings increases the K West ward on Tuesday advised housing societies to take measures including setting up emergency isolation facilities in the society premises and keeping senior citizens and children below 15 years indoorsThe circular issued by Assistant Municipal Commissioner Vishwad Mote was posted on the official Twitter handle of the K West ward has been forwarded to residents associations on WhatsApp and is being handed to societies during visits by officialsThe K West ward comprises Andheri West Jogeshwari West Lokhandwala Oshiwara Versova and parts of Juhu People with comorbidities diabetes hypertension and cancer have been asked to be more careful The advisory also asks societies to cooperate with the BMC staff visiting buildings for screenings so that mild symptoms can be picked up verified and tested early Senior citizens and children below 15 years should strictly stay at home the advisory saidChildren inside the Serenity Complexs play area in Oshiwara11 points for safetyThe 11point advisory asks buildings to set up isolation facilities wherever possible and have oxygen cylinders within the society premises in case of emergenciesSociety shall monitor each and every person coming inside the premises and check with the help of Oxymeter and thermal detector through private security of the building read the public notice adding that the reading would be valid only for 24 hours hence daily monitoring is requiredThe notice further advises that no maids vegetablefruitgrocery vendors dhobi or any other service provider should be allowed within a sealed building or in a sealed area within the building Repair works if any except premonsoon or emergency works by electricians plumbers carpenters etc need to be restricted No new work such as interior or construction is allowed the notice saidDont humiliateThe June 16 notice also read All members are requested to ensure proper behaviour with those who are found to be COVID19 positive within the premises and are home quarantined Humble request mdash do not discriminate and humiliate COVID19 positive peopleApplaud COVID yoddhasAssistant Commissioner Mote said Some societies have a big clubhouse or a society office in the basement or an empty flat where they could set up an isolation centre to be two steps ahead in case of an emergency he said BMC will encourage the use of oxygen cylinders so that it is readily available in emergencies He added that senior citizens and children may only go downstairs but not step outside the societys boundaries since they are more prone to infection People are discriminating against positive patients so there are chances that people would want to hide the infection and not come forward We should instead applaud the COVID19 yoddhas battling the disease and those who have come out of it successfully Mote addedWhat residents sayKaran Jotwani the founder of Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association acknowledged that the numbers have gone up with the ward going from the 6th to the 4th spot But that is the fault of residents who have taken this unlock casually and have contracted the virus Societies can make these isolation facilities in clubhouses enclosed covered parking spots etc as beds are difficult to find Many companies and hospitals are offering setup facilities for such needs he saidHe added that societies in the ward should take the BMCs advisory seriously to remain equipped when the situation demands Residents need to take more precautions to reduce the number of cases as even after recovery you cannot bounce back to same level of health Jotwani saidJune 16Day the circular was issuedCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news