Home Minister Amit Shah tests positive for coronavirus, to skip Ram temple event

NEW DELHI: The August 5 bhumi pujan for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to go ahead as per plan even as Union home minister Amit Shah and UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh tested Covid-19 positive on Sunday.
Government officials said Shah had attended the Cabinet meeting at the PM’s residence last Wednesday but all social distancing norms were followed, including wearing of face masks. Shah usually sits next to the Prime Minister. “The Panchvati Hall in 7, Lok Kalyan Marg is a large one where all cabinet ministers and officials can be seated with required social distancing. Also, the practice of PMO’s internal cars ferrying visitors from the reception has been dropped under the Covid-19 protocol for a while now to eliminate chances of spread of infection. All visitors now walk from the reception after alighting from their individual vehicles" an official said. He also said everyone at 7 LKM has to undergo temperature and Aarogya Setu checks, including all ministers as per a “strict protocol in place at 7, LKM.” Officials also said that most physical meetings are avoided at 7 LKM and PM has been preferring video-conference meetings. “Cabinet still meets physically,” the official said. July 29 Cabinet meet was held after a gap of three weeks.

In a tweet on Sunday afternoon, Shah said he is getting admitted to a hospital on the advice of doctors. “On getting the initial symptoms of corona, I got the test done and the report came back positive. My health is fine, but I am being admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors,” tweeted Shah.

The home minister also requested those who had come in his contact to isolate themselves and get tested. Shah, officials added, has been admitted to Medanta hospital in Gurgaon. He may not be able to visit Ayodhya on August 5 for Ram temple Bhoomi Pujan. Officials from the union home ministry, home secretary and Minister of State (MoS) at MHA have been advised to quarantine themselves.

In UP, CM Yogi Adityanath will be in Ayodhya on August 5 while a few of his ministers have tested positive. UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh also tested positive on Sunday.