Innovative! Vaccination centre set up at Bhopal's drive-in cinema site

Bhopal, May 4: Carrying out an innovative initiative, what was once a drive-in movie theatre in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, it has been converted into a vaccination centre in Ashoka Hotel when the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive commenced. People can get their shot while sitting inside the safety of their cars.

 

 

The Madhya Pradesh tourism corporation started the drive-in centre at the hotel in the city where immunisation started from May 1 when the centre launched the phase 3 vaccination drive for those above the age of 18 across India. This has been emerged as a safe idea to have adequate social distancing and no possibility of crowding. Moreover, many people will feel safer while getting their Covid vaccine dose here as compared to going to the hospital.

 

 

Some months ago, this place served as a drive-in cinema, where people could watch movies while sitting in the comfort of their vehicle. The place which now serves as a COVID vaccination centre in the city is an appropriate area to accommodate several cars entering in a queue.

 

 

 

Speaking to a news agency, Ashoka Hotel manager KK Patel informed that the vaccination centre is open between 5 pm and 8 pm for which an online registration through Cowin website or Aarogya Setu app are mandatory.He said, "They are getting the shot in open-air while sitting inside their car. They are being asked to wait for around half an hour in the vehicle after taking the dose (to monitor their heath)."

 

 

The Madhya Pradesh government also tweeted about the new cinema turned vaccination centre and said, "Drive-in vaccination has started in Madhya Pradesh's first 'Drive-in Cinema' Bhopal... It is being operated in the premises of Hotel Lake View located in Shyamala Hills of the State Tourism Corporation."

 

"For safe vaccination, a pick and drop facility has also been introduced for the people. Interested persons can contact the Transport Branch of the Tourism Corporation at number 90397 61097," they added in another tweet. According to Union Health Ministry, Madhya Pradesh has 85,750 active COVID-19 cases. In the last 24 hours, the state registered 1,439 fresh cases and 93 related deaths.