Alappuzha to turn boats into isolation centre

ALAPPUZHA: In a bid to increase isolation beds for the patients in Alappuzha district, the district administration has decided to convert bedrooms in the houseboats into isolation rooms. According to G. Sudhakaran, Public Works Minister, 2,000 isolation beds will be set up in houseboats.

A Health Department official said, “We are expecting an inflow of people from overseas and other States after the end of the COVID-19 lockdown period. More people may have to be quarantined. Converting houseboats into isolation beds is part of the measures to deal with any possible emergency in the district. The converted rooms in houseboats will be used only if the need arises. Besides, 60 hotels and resorts and other structures with attached toilet facilities have been identified for isolation of people.” As of now, the five coronavirus positive cases have been identified, of which two have been recovered.

According to the officials the isolation boats will have a medical team and all required medical facilities inside the boat, if anyone isolated in the houseboat amid tested positive for the virus, the boat will be detached from the group anchored at the Finishing Point in Alappuzha, and the isolated person will be shifted to hospital for proper medical care.

Kevin Rozario, general secretary, All Kerala Houseboat Owners and Operators Samiti, said, “There are hardly any tourism-related activities now. We are not expecting our boats to set sail again anytime soon given the global situation. By handing over the boats, we are joining the society in its fight against the disease.”