New Delhi: DMRC (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) said on Friday that "some" of its employees scattered across the NCR (National Capital Region) have tested positive for Coronavirus, without giving away the exact number. However, sources have alleged that the total number of COVID-19-infected employees at DMRC is at 20 right now.
DMRC said in a tweet, "Some employees scattered across the NCR have unfortunately been infected by the virus as well. They are all safe and recovering gradually. However, in this hour of crisis as well, the spirit of Delhi Metro continues to be high." It added that DMRC CMD Dr Mangu Singh has asked employees to follow social distancing and has wished those infected with the virus a speedy recovery.
The news comes on a day when PFC sealed its office premises after one employee was found to be Coronavirus positive. On June 4, PSU Watch had reported that apart from the Chairman and a few other top executives, more employees had been found to be infected with the virus and several others are being tested. DMRC staff have been going to the corporate office or the station premises to prepare the Delhi Metro for a smooth resumption of services when the government orders come in.
As India moves towards Unlock 1.0, it is imperative to ask if the government is rushing to open the economy and in the process, exposing people to a health crisis of an unprecedented scale? Is the health infrastructure equipped enough to deal with a crisis of this scale in the absence of a vaccine? Also, the post-COVID world can never be like the one people have been used to inhabiting earlier. The simplest of precautions like wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing and staying at home at the slightest hint of sickness can go a long way in preventing the next infection.