To prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Union Rural Development Ministry has banned smoking cigarettes or beedis, chewing tobacco and spitting at the work sites under the MNREGA scheme.
Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary of the Rural Development Ministry during a video conference a few days ago asked all the states to follow the directives to prevent the spread of coronavirus among the MNREGA workers.
“Precautions need to be taken while performing tasks under MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) and National Livelihood Mission in non containment zones,” said the Secretary.
He said that it was important for all states and union territories to develop a standard plan for each workplace. As per the directives issued by the official, smoking at the workplace has to be completely forbidden while no person should be found eating tobacco, etc. and spitting to be completely prohibited where the work is going on.
The Secretary also said that if anyone has health problems, then he should be taken to the nearest health centre.
The Ministry of Rural Development has asked all the states to follow the April 15 guidelines of the Union Home Ministry which states that “spitting in public places shall be punishable with fine” and “there shall be strict ban on sale of liquor, gutka, tobacco, etc and spitting should be strictly prohibited.”
The Union Health Ministry has also asked the States to ensure that spitting is banned as it could spread the infectious Coronavirous.
It had cited the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) appeal which noted that the harmful effects of tobacco use are well established and accepted globally. Also the role of tobacco use/spitting in public place in spreading infectious diseases like Coronavirus. Chewing of smokeless tobacco products (gutkha, zarda, khaini and other chewing tobacco products and paan masala) and areca nut (supari) increases the production of saliva followed by a very strong urge to spit.
Spitting in public places increases the dangers of spread of Coronavirus/Covid-19.
States like Bihar, Jharkhand, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarkhand, Maharashtra, Haryana, Nagaland and Assam have already issued orders on the ban of use of smokeless tobacco products and spitting in public places during the Covid epidemic.