To ensure safety of Jarawa tribes from COVID-19, Andaman reschedules timing of convoy in Andaman Trunk Road

Port Blair: To ensure protection of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and to keep them safe from COVID-19 pandemic, the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has rescheduled the timing of convoys of vehicles through Jarawa Tribal Reserve area of Andaman Trunk Road.

The Andaman Trunk Road cuts through Jarawa Tribal Reserve Forest of South Andaman and to ensure Jarawa Tribes do not come in contact with outside world the movement of vehicles in the Jarawa area is managed with the help convoy, under supervision of Andaman and Nicobar Police.

Since entry of COVID-19 cases in Andaman, the Administration has taken a number of proactive steps especially restriction of convoy in the Andaman Trunk Road passing through Jarawa reserve to contain spread of COVID-19 infection among the tribes especially Jarawa tribes who are more exposed to non-tribal passing through Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) and fishermen on the west coast.

Now the Administration has decided to re-schedule the convoy timing from 29.3.2021 onwards and as per new timing only two convoys shall be allowed through Jarawa Reserve area, which was four before COVID-19 pandemic.

First Convoy from Jirkatang to Middle Strait will leave at 0830 Hours while second Convoy will leave at 1400 Hours.

Similarly first convoy from Middle Strait to Jirkatang will leave at 0630 Hours while second convoy will leave at 1430 Hours.

As per the new guidelines maximum 90 vehicles will be allowed in each convoy.

“All persons availing convoy from Port Blair to North & Middle Andaman District shall undergo Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) at PHC Ferrargunj,” the new guidelines said. (UNI)