Hyderabad: Covid patients should avoid going to booth: Health dept

Hyderabad: Anticipating a surge in cases post the GHMC elections, the state health authorities are discouraging Covid-19 patients and people with symptoms from visiting the polling booths.

Though the state election commission (SEC) has allowed Covid positive patients to vote through postal ballot and between 5pm and 6pm on the polling day (December 1), the health officials are against voting at the booths. “Though the cases are in control and the numbers have come down drastically, we need to be careful during the elections. We are advising political parties to ensure all Covid precautions. Covid-19 patients can use the postal ballot option. They are also allowed to vote in person by adhering to all norms, but it is best to avoid going to the booths. People having fever, cough, breathlessness etc, should stay away from campaigning, voting and even poll duty,” said Dr G Srinivasa Rao, director of public health, Telangana.

It may be recalled despite taking all precautionary measures during campaigning and polling, the recent Bihar elections have left behind a train of positive cases. Taking a cue from the experience, health authorities are advising political parties to distribute masks and ensure availability of sanitisers as well as social distancing to avoid a huge surge.