As Bengaluru fears of cluster outbreak in Bommanahalli-based factories, local administration is on toes to protect COVID-19 from occurring in apparel factories.
An official order, citing daily inspection reports, reads that there has been an increase in the number of positive patients amongst those working in garment factories in Bommanahalli zone.
The test positivity rate in these places is 21 per cent, as against Bengaluru city’s 13 per cent.
“We have been visiting apparel factories daily for 20 days now and doing all we can to prevent the spread of pandemic. Testing here has been increased,” said Ramakrishna, Joint Commissioner, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Bommanahalli zone.
He also added that more than 1 lakh employees work in different shifts in the zone and as the apparel factories lack space, there is a high chance of the virus spreading quickly.
As per media reports, another officer added that around 440 people had given apparel factory addresses and by the time results were out, they had gone in incommunicado, and it was then very difficult to track them down.
Anand MC, President, Garments Labourers Welfare Association, says that coronavirus tests in apparel factories are being carried out and factories have extended all support to the officials.
He added that there were several rounds of meetings and officials have responded well to factories’ production concerns as well.
Also Read: 143 employees of a textile unit test COVID-19 positive
Captain Manivannan P., IAS officer and zonal coordinator for Bommanahalli zone, has empowered BBMP zonal officials – along with officials from labour department and factories and boilers department – to enter any factory in the area and conduct COVID-19 inspections.
They are also empowered to direct factory management to ensure contact tracing and swabbing of suspected coronavirus patients.
Also Read: COVID-19 confirmed cases continue in textile and apparel units
