Himalayan Mountaineering Institute offers 21 rooms for quarantine purpose

Darjeeling: The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) Darjeeling has come forward with 21 rooms which they will allow to be used to house patients, for quarantine or isolation purpose.

The HMI is closed at present and the courses have been rescheduled. "We have hostels lying vacant. Each room can house up to 6 persons. Some of the rooms have attached toilets as well. We have informed that the rooms can be used by GTA as a medical facility as per requirement. We have to fight COVID-19 together and each one has to play his part," stated group captain Jai Kishan, prinicpal, HMI.

The premier institute is located on the fringes of the Darjeeling town. "I would like to thank the principal, HMI for his initiative. Right from day one, the GTA has stressed on team efforts and consensus decisions with all the stakeholders to fight this crisis," stated Anit Thapa, chairman, GTA.

The Lataguri Gram Panchayat in Dooars has issued a notification that all resorts in the area will be closed from March 22 to March 31.

Meanwhile, there are reports of a lady and her son returning from Dubai and landing at Bagdogra Airport on March 18. She then stayed in her brother's quarters in Matigarah and had food, after which she proceeded to Darjeeling. The brother, who is the data entry operator of the Matigarah Panchayat Samity then went to office.

The lady and her son have been ordered to undergo medical screening while the data entry operator has been asked to stay in home isolation for two weeks.

Meanwhile, a woman who has returned from Spain recently and was advised home quarantine in ward number 24, Siliguri, was seen walking her dog around. The locals informed the authorities and a medical team arrived. However, they complained of misbehavior by the family members. The matter has been brought to the attention of higher-ups.