Natore residents express concern, discontent over setting up Covid-19 testing booth at public place

Residents in Natore have expressed concern and discontent over district administration setting up a Covid-19 testing booth at the heart of the town.

Locals worry that setting up the booth at a public place will trigger Covid-19 transmission.

"We are concerned that those who are yet to be infected may contract Covid-19 as the testing booth has been set up at a public place. It is unfortunate that no steps were taken even after we protested," said Mohammad Ali Jinnah, a mobile phone accessories seller, at the premises.

"People who come to the mosque [at the location] are now panicking after setting up of the booth. We want the booth removed from this place," said Shakil Ahmed, another vendor at the market.

"It is a good move from the authority to set up a booth for free Covid-19 testing for the people, but it was not a right decision to set it up at one of the town's busiest places," said Emon Ali, general secretary of businessmen's association of the market.

Photo: Collected

Contacted, Mohammad Shah Riaz, deputy commissioner of Natore, told The Daily Star that the booth has been set up to increase the number of Covid-19 tests as the transmission of the virus spiked in the district.

In last 24 hours, 35 out of 52 samples tested positive for Covid-19 in the district. A total 27 people died with Covid-19 in Natore so far.