District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Leh made COVID-19 test and registration mandatory for all inbound labourers and workers.

DDMA intensified the drive against COVID-19 violation and COVID surveillance with an increasing number of people travelling to Leh from across the country.

Chairman, DDMA Leh, Shrikant Balasaheb Suse directed the Labour Department to ensure that labourers are registered at authorized labour agencies. Health Department has been directed to reactivate the entry-point COVID test facilities at Khaltse and Upshi when the Leh-Srinagar and Leh-Manali National Highways are opened for vehicular traffic. Similarly, District Police Leh should allow only registered labourers with an ID card to cross police checkpoints or TCPs, and District Surveillance Officer, Leh should depute four officials at KBR airport, Leh for the registration of labours.

The Chairman, DDMA also issued strict instructions to the SDMs to ensure that the labourers entering their respective sub-divisions should undergo mandatory seven-day quarantine before allowing them to work at the sites. He asked them to constitute a Village Level Surveillance Committee (VLSC) comprising sarpanch, panchayat secretary, panch, nambardar and patwari. VLSC should ensure that all the labourers in the village have proper registration cards issued by the authorised labour agencies in Leh.

Similar instructions have been issued to the GREF, Army and other agencies involved in the hiring of labourers.

A subdivision-wise squad to keep a tab on people violating COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) was also formed. DDMA Leh has identified locations such as Choglamsar, Skalzangling, Skara, Housing Colony, New Bus Stand, Main Market, Skampari, Gangles, and Yurtung in Leh, where officials have been appointed to check and impose fine on violators.

More than 30 people were found violating COVID-19 SOPs in these areas in the last two days. A fine of ₹500 was collected from them. 

DDMA Leh has advised the public to strictly adhere to the SOPs and follow COVID appropriate behaviour (CAB), including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing.