Demands have come up from various quarters to exempt all emergency helpline numbers from playing the recorded COVID-19 caller tune as it has been reportedly affecting quick response to distress calls. Coronavirus, May 31 updates | State Helpline numbers for COVID-19In a recent incident, a resident of Kayanna panchayat faced difficulties while trying to contact the Fire and Rescue Services after a fire outbreak at his house. “When contacted, we kept hearing the recorded message frequently,” he said, adding that the fire was then brought under control after several failed attempts. Interactive map of confirmed coronavirus cases in India | e-Book on COVID-19 | State-wise tracker for coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates“Emergency services should be totally exempted from playing the tune.”Some traders and those working in the health sector too have called for the removal of COVID-19 caller tune from helplines managed by the police, fire and rescue services and the Health department. They said there were not many cases in Kerala where the caller tune stood in the way of prompt action on their part in addressing distress calls.

Source: The Hindu May 31, 2020 16:50 UTC