Corona Scare: A French couple detained in Silchar; sent to Civil Hospital for screening

A couple was spotted running from post to pillar today as they were denied accommodation by the hotels in Silchar as they are foreign citizens. The couple furnished all necessary documents yet the hotels hesitated given the current situation where the Coronavirus is spreading thick and fast. The couple then went to the office of Superintendent of Police and requested the officials to provide them accommodation in the city. The police officials first decided to send them to Silchar Civil Hospital first to undergo screening.

“Both of them are French nationals and said they have come to Silchar from Cherrapunji where they were holidaying. Since they are foreign residents and have come to Silchar via road, as a precautionary measure we have sent them to the hospital to check if they are infected by the virus. We will take the following actions depending on the result of the screening,” said, Jagadish Das, additional SP, Cachar.

The couple said they have a flight to catch tomorrow and they were travelling to Delhi via Kolkata. It is worth mentioning here that the Government of India has already announced the cancellation of all non-essential visas to restrict the entry of foreigners in India. “We have already informed the district administration about the French couple,” concluded Das.

He clarified that the couple has been sent to the hospital to check if they are carrying infection and not because they are infected. It remains to be seen if the Cachar administration allows the couple to board their flight tomorrow for their onward journey.