The iconic cafe-cum-confectionary in Darjeeling, Glenary’s has offered to convert its top floor into an isolation ward for treating COVID-19 patients free of cost. The restaurant aims to start the COVID ward operations on Sunday after getting a nod from the chief medical officer of the Darjeeling district. According to a Hindustan Times report, owner of Glenary’s, Ajoy Edwards, has said, “As the number of Covid-19 patients is on the rise and Darjeeling has limited infrastructure to house them, we decided to come forward and lend a helping hand in this war-like situation.” Read on to know more.
Glenary’s Is One Of The Prime Attractions In Darjeeling
The three-storeyed colonial building of Glenary’s is one of the prime attractions in West Bengal’s hilly town, Darjeeling. It dates back to nearly 130 years. The building houses a restaurant, a confectionary and a buzz bar, all of which are owned by the Edwards family. Now the owners are lending a helping hand amid the fight against COVID-19, with medical support from the Planter’s Nursing Home. Ajoy Edwards said, “We are doing this with the Darjeeling Initiative and Edward’s Foundation, with medical support to be provided by Planter’s Nursing Home.” Initially, the facility will have 20 beds. Later, the bed capacity might be increased to 40.
The Owners Aim To Convert The Restaurant Into An Isolation Ward With Oxygen Support
The owners have written to the health officials for the conversion of the restaurant section of the building into an isolation ward with oxygen support. Once operational, the free of cost facility will come to the aid of people of the hills in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, which otherwise have limited infrastructure for dealing with the pandemic. Many affected patients from the town need to rush down to Siliguri to get treatment from private hospitals, spending lakhs of rupees. Chief medical officer of Darjeeling district, Praloy Acharya has said that the authority will grant permission after visiting the place. The restaurant is now closed and the bakery is allowing only home deliveries and takeaways.