Warning of a worsening COVID-19 crisis in the country, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amainder Singh on Thursday urged the Central Government to allow private hospitals and labs to conduct tests in order to ensure access to all the people.
Calling for a national level fight against the pandemic on a war footing, Capt Amarinder said that he would take up the issue of testing by private hospitals or labs with the Prime Minister on Friday during the latter’s proposed video conference with all the Chief Ministers.
With the number of CORONAVIRUS cases increasing, the Centre has to consider reviewing its policy, stressed the Chief Minister, making it clear that he did not agree with the current policy of the Government of India in this regard.
Given the fact that Punjab had private labs in all major cities, it was not logical for a corona suspect to have to travel to Chandigarh or some other place to get himself tested from a government facility only, said Capt Amarinder, adding that only in case of doubt should such a person be required to go elsewhere for a second test.
CAPT URGES CENTRE TO ALLOW DISTRIBUTION OF 20 MLN GRAIN STOCKS TO POOR
The Chief Minister also suggested that the Centre should allow the food stocks, currently stored in Punjab godowns, to be distributed to the poor whose earnings were impacted due to the Coronavirus outbreak instead of letting them rot in the storage areas.
Since the stocks belonged to the Government of India, it was in their purview to take a decision in this regard, he said, adding that the 20 million tonnes of food grains that Food Corporation of India (FCI) had yet to lift from the godowns could be put to better use by feeding the people not just in Punjab but wherever needed. Such a move would be a life saver for the people of India in the current crisis, he added.
Underlining the need for strong measures to check further spread of the COVID-19 disease, the Chief Minister said that his Government had already initiated a series of steps to fight the problem. The State’s financial crunch would not be allowed to impact the efforts of his Government, said Captain Amarinder, adding that all necessary funds would be made available to ensure adequate testing, isolation and treatment facilities.
EXAMS POSTPONED, SCHOOL STAFF RELIEVED TILL MARCH 31
Punjab Government on Thursday announced to postpone school examinations, besides relieving the staff of all schools till March 31.
The State School Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said that to avert the threat of virus contamination, Punjab Government has decided to restrict the activities of all Government, semi-Government and private schools in the State. “Apart from postponing the examinations, the school staff has also been relieved with immediate effect,” he added.
The Cabinet Minister said that to curb the contamination of Covid-19, the State Government has been working tirelessly as the Chief Minister has also been personally reviewing the situation control the threat of the virus spread.
He added that the Education Department has also decided to voluntarily offer the school buildings for isolation wards as per the requirement in case of any critical situation. Once the health department requisites the building, it would be immediately evacuated, he said.
Singla said that apart from restricting the movement in the schools, an intensive awareness drive has also been launched in the state from Thursday onwards. The teams, led by Health Department staff and other officials, were visiting each and every household in villages and cities as well to make the residents aware of the coronavirus.
NEWLY-MARRIED FOUND SYMPTOMATIC, QUARANTINED
A patient with symptoms of coronavirus has been quarantined at the Ropar Civil Hospital. The newly-married patient had visited Dubai on his honeymoon and returned on February 28.
Though he was suffering from symptoms of coronavirus, he was self-medicating using over the counter medicines and reported at the hospital only Wednesday evening, said the Civil Surgeon HN Sharma.
The patient and his wife have been quarantined at the hospital and his samples sent to PGI, Chandigarh.
PSHRC SEEKS REPORT ON STATE’S PREPARATION
Punjab State Human Rights Commission on Thursday sought a detailed report from the State Government, through the Chief Secretary, to explain the safety measures taken and to be taken by the State by April 1 to deal with the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Considering the importance of the safety measures for the health of the general public, the Commission, comprising of its chairperson Justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari and member Justice Ashutosh Mohunta, took cognizance of the public issue and requisitioned a report from the State of Punjab through the Chief Secretary, Home Department, Punjab.
“The State of Punjab shall explain the safety measures taken and to be taken by the State of Punjab, in detail, in the report. The report shall be submitted, in triplicate, seven days prior to the next date of hearing,” stated the Commission, while adjourning the matter to April 8, 2020.
The Commission noted that COVID-19 has been spreading all over the world, including the state of Punjab, and “precautionary measures are needed to be taken to prevent the genesis of the deadly disease”.