With over 78,520 fresh cases, India’s COVID-19 tally has crossed 6.80 million. The death toll in India is nearly 106000. But there is one Union Territory (UT) in the southernmost part of India, that has been completely untouched by the virus. Not a single case of coronavirus has been reported in India’s smallest Union Territory, Lakshadweep. It remains the only place in India that hasn’t reported a single case of COVID-19 in 8 months of the pandemic. Read on to know how the UT, with a population of around 64,000, managed to keep coronavirus at bay.
Lakshadweep Is the Only Indian Union Territory That Hasn’t Reported Any COVID-19 Cases
India had reported its first coronavirus case on January 30, 2020. The pandemic has been in the country for about eight months, but Lakshadweep has remained coronavirus-free all throughout, thanks to the proper precautionary measures. Lakshadweep, the archipelago of 36 islands, is about 380 kilometres away from the mainland of India. Here’s a brief on how the UT managed to stay away from the virus:
- As per reports, over 1000 people had visited the mainland for treatment purposes from Lakshadweep. However, only the natives of the UT were allowed to return. The administration of Lakshadweep had closed borders, airports and ports to tourists and other outsiders, even before the announcement of the lockdown in March.
- The residents of Lakshadweep returning to the islands had to undergo a strict seven-day quarantine at Kochi’s government guest house. After seven days, if they tested negative for COVID-19, they would be allowed to board the ship.
- All incomers to the UT had to undergo a mandatory home quarantine of 14 days.
- The authorities had also provided free meals, three times a day, to the migrant workers on the islands.
- When the lockdown was eased, more than 6000 migrant workers went back to their home states from the islands. They will be allowed to enter the UT only when its absolutely safe.
- The government guest house at Lakshadweep’s capital, Kavaratti had been turned into a COVID centre.
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Schools In The Island Are Now Reopening
Residents testing positive for the virus were treated in Kerala and were permitted to travel only after recovery. Several schools in Lakshadweep are now reopening. They are welcoming the students with balloons and fresh paints. Staying away from the deadly virus which has gripped the entire world is indeed a huge achievement for the island.
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Doctors, nurses and frontliners in all parts of the country are working day and night to eliminate the virus at the soonest possible time. It’s true that the number of coronavirus cases in India is rising at an alarming rate. On the brighter side, nearly 5.83 million patients in India have already recovered from the infection. Also, here are 5 secluded islands in India perfect for social distancing: