Staff Council seeks suspension of breathalyser tests, DMRC says no reason to worry

After an employees' body of the DMRC wrote to the Delhi Metro seeking suspension of breathalyser tests for train operators amid coronavirus scare, authorities at the rapid transit network have said all precautions are taken during such health examinations and "there is no chance of any infection".

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Staff Council had written a letter to the DMRC on Tuesday, requesting it to issue health guidelines and suspend breathalyser tests, in view of the outbreak of highly contagious coronavirus in the country.

The DMRC authorities said as the train operator (TO) is responsible for the safety of the passengers in the train it is "mandatory as per Section 29(5) of the Metro Rail General Rules (MRGR) for the TO to undergo the breath analyser test while signing on or off for the duty on a daily basis".

Every TO has been issued an individual blow pipes for taking the test to ensure that "there is no chance of any infection," the DMRC said in a statement on Tuesday.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi has risen to 10, which includes one foreign national, the Health Ministry said.

The DMRC said a detailed COVID-19 related advisory has already been issued for DMRC employees, which has been displayed at the crew controls across the network for compliance.

"It has been mandated by the Ministry of Health that masks are not necessary for all individuals and may be used by those who are symptomatic or are giving care to those symptomatic. Masks and gloves have been provided to the housekeeping staffs, who are involved directly in the cleaning of the trains and stations," the statement said.

However, keeping in mind the importance of maintaining adequate hygiene in the metro premises, the cleaning schedule of trains and stations has further been intensified for the safety of passengers as well as the staff deployed to operate the system. Liquid soap has been made available at all toilets to facilitate the frequent washing of hands, it said.

"The DMRC's staff deployed at the stations and trains are assets for the organisation and their safety is of top priority. Any further input or suggestion which may help in enhancing the the safety of the staff shall also be considered actively," the said.