The novel coronavirus has rung alarm bells in the tea industry which employs over four lakh people in north Bengal.

“Every day, hundreds of workers gather for joining duties and lunch. So, the risk of the virus spreading among the labourers is higher if there is any carrier among them,” said a health official in Siliguri.

Over the past few days, tea garden companies took up a number of initiatives for the safety of workers and their families.

First, employees in managerial posts are making announcements in gardens to make the workers aware of sanitisation and personal hygiene.

Secondly, the managers are avoiding large queues or gathering of workers and asking them to report before and after duty in smaller groups at different places of gardens.

“In some tea gardens, they are also being provided with soap and water ahead of lunch. Assistant managers and others who monitor their work are regularly apprising them of the do’s and don’ts so that they and their families stay safe,” said R.A. Sharma, secretary, Dooars branch, Tea Association of India.

The tea companies are also keeping a watch over the movement of people who are from the garden but now work in other states.

“Announcements are being also being made so that anybody returning home from outside is screened at the garden hospital or the nearby health centre. Some tea gardens have already bought thermal guns for screening. We are insisting that such people should enter homes only after screening,” said Sanjoy Bagchi, secretary, DBITA.