With the US President Donald Trump's visit to Gujarat just a week away and the state all set to host 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) from Monday, a robust system has been put in place to tackle any eventuality resulting due to probable cases of coronavirus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the six-day conference at the Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar on Monday. Health teams have been stationed at the Mahatma Mandir as well. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are set to visit Ahmedabad on February 24.
Modi and Trump will inaugurate the Motera Cricket Stadium, which will now be the world's largest cricket stadium, surpassing the seating capacity of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Hundreds of participants and organizations from across the globe are set to take part in the event that is to have working group meetings, side events and individuals and organisations sharing best practices in wildlife conservation. The logo of CMS COP 13 depicts key migratory species like Amur falcon and marine turtles.
Health Commissioner Jayanti Ravi told THE WEEK that as per the protocol laid down by the Civil Aviation Ministry, passengers from China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan are being screened at the port of entry.
According to Ravi, teams are located at the airports and people have been quarantined at their respective homes. Health teams visit them daily and if any symptoms are found then the samples are sent for testing. Ahmedabad also now has a facility to screen coronavirus.
“There is a thorough preparedness and we have three layered masks,” she said. The medical staff is trained and there are isolation beds in hospitals across the state.
When asked about the specific arrangements made for the US president's visit, the health commissioner said that she would not be able to comment on it at this juncture but added that the set protocol will be in place.
