Students oppose testing at Punjabi University

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, March 21

The Health Department has not dared contact tracing in Punjabi University. Reason: It foresees the backlash from students because they have already protested Covid measures announced by the government. The university has become a Covid hotspot. The students unions have said they won’t allow testing unless they are symptomatic.

The protesting unions find the corona testing an attempt to stop the students from pursuing their study by deliberately turning healthy students’ corona positive.

Harpreet Singh, member of the Punjab Students Union (PSU), LalKaar, said, “If any student is having symptoms, he or she will get tested at the health centres on their own. Therefore, they wouldn’t allow testing in hostels.”

Around 54, including hostellers, have tested positive in the university.

Dr Vikas Goyal, Senior Medical Officer, Tripuri, said, “We have already written a letter to university officials to convince the students for Covid testing. Until we get a green signal, how can we conduct tests at hostels? There has already been resistance from students unions.”

Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Satinder Singh said, “We cannot risk the safety of health officials, including doctors, who have been working day and night. We will not send our teams until we get the assurance of safety from the university officials.”

Dr Regina, Senior Medical Officer, Punjabi University, said only a few positive students were in isolation while others had gone home with their parents.

Meanwhile, Dr Paramjit Kaur Gill, Additional Dean, Student Welfare, Punjabi Univerity, said, “We have not ordered to vacate the hostel as we have not received any guidelines from the government. However, most students have already gone home. If the students are not willing, then what can we do?”

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