The Zarajibli village in Dharchula block of Pithorgarh district in Uttarakhand has been witnessing a return of migrants since May 5. Many of them are from Pune, Delhi, Mumbai and other cities. The village is just 35 kms away from Nepal border and people have been returning to their homes in India from the neighbouring country as well.
The Pradhans of the village (village heads) have been ensuring that those returning are housed in quarantine centres carved out from available infrastructure in the village like schools, panchayat bhawans, vacant houses of out migrants and even tents where required essentials for cooking food are already arranged. Villagers also provide food.
However, Pradhans of the village prefer quarantined returnees cooking for themselves as it helps in maintaining social distancing.
As the cases have been in the upward trend in the state, they are housed for 21 days in these centres. In some villages like Bhatola, people stress further 7 days of quarantine. These centres are then sanitised once the returnees leave to their homes.
There are 2 levels of quarantining done – institutional quarantine, quarantining at the village facilities before they go home. The quarantining at the village is being called as the “panchayati quarantine”
All COVID related works are coordinated by the Pradhans of the village working with village and block level officials. Pradhans have been exercising 3 Cs – caution, common sense and camaraderie to fight the virus. Residents also keep a strict vigil on entry and exit of people. They understand that it is only upto a certain point that government can take measures, beyond which the people have to take responsibility.
Inputs taken from here.