Gurugram: As the news of a 29-year-old woman from Sector 9A diagnosed with coronavirus poured in, residents welfare associations have pulled up their socks to allay fears among the residents living in the sector.
The RWA of Sector 9 A is making all efforts to not only contain the spread of misinformation but also to create an environment of trust and positive fight back against the disease.
The RWA swiftly restricted the WhatsApp groups and issued an advisory instructing everyone to avoid falsehood and spreading rumours. They have also arranged for disinfectant spray in the market area, vegetable vends, community centre, police station, parks, bus stops among public places in the sectors.
“There could have been an atmosphere of fear in the sector, but this was prevented due to our continuous efforts. We are motivating our residents to trust the advice of the government and doctors, instead of paying attention to WhatsApp forwards containing negative posts and similar posts on social media. We are also arranging distribution of free mask and sanitizer with an NGO within this week itself,” said Suraj Bhola, General Secretary of Sector 9A RWA.
Health advisories by other societies
Several condominiums and high-rise societies in the city are also taking measures to combat the threat of coronavirus. Almost all the societies have issued health advisories to the residents urging everyone to take precautionary measures with the looming threat of COVID-19.
In Unitech Fresco, the RWA has constituted a subcommittee called combat corona subcommittee, comprising volunteers who have knowledge, interest and subject matter expertise including the doctors who are the residents of Fresco. The committee has made it mandatory to check the temperature of all visitors, vendors, workers using infrared thermometer.
All the club activities has been suspended and gyms have been closed. Sanitiser is kept at each tower entrance and at the main gate. They are encouraging all the staff on duty to wash hands 3-4 times during their shift.
“These are the precautionary measure to be followed till March 31 and the committee will take a call later if it has to be extended. Some of these steps such as closing of gym, club activities etc may cause inconvenience to some, however these steps are very important to save everybody from this disease,” said Nilesh Tandon, President of Fresco RWA.
Similarly, DLF New Town Height in Sector 90 is also making efforts to contain the spread of disease. Ashok Malik, a resident of the society said, “The management has closed down the club and gym facility as a precautionary measure. The entire society has been disinfected to check on COVID-19. Besides, every visitor, vendor is checked through thermal screening at the entrance.”
