The authorities of Puducherryand neighbouring Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu launched on Monday joint precautionary steps at the border village of Kanniakoil to prevent spread of coronavirus.Territorial Collector T Arun and Cuddalore Collector V Anbuselvam accompanied by officials of their respective districts inspected the existing precautionary steps which included spraying operations and checking of passengers.Talking to newsmen, Anbuselvan said all precautionary steps were taken to ensure that there was no COVID-19 cases.He said none was affected in Cuddalore district and none should believe in rumours or unconfirmed information.He said the advisories given by the Tamilnadu Chief Minister, Health Minister and state Chief Secretary on preventive measures were being implemented in letter and spirit.He said the government hospital was kept on alert to rise up to any exigency although presently there was no report of anyone hit by coronavirus in the district."Since Puducherry and Cuddalore are closely situated the movement of people in buses, cars and other passenger vehicles was very common and a close screening is being done to ensure that there was no space for coronavirus," the Cuddalore Collector said.Puducherry Collector T Arun said the checkposts were functioning at all the border points on Puducherry-Cuddalore route, Puducherry-Tindivanam route and Puducherry-Marakanam and Villupuram routes.He said 24 people were examined and all tested negative for the virus.As Puducherry is a tourist hub, hotel owners and guesthouses in the Union Territory were asked to issue self- declaration to tourists, particularly foreigners, so as to collect details of their places of origin.Arun said the government hospitals and also private hospitals were prepared to rise to any exigency and more than 100 beds were kept ready.
