As a preventive step to check spread of coronavirus, Haryana government on Friday imposed Section 144 in the state and said it would start using stamps to mark those who are quarantined in homes.
All District Magistrates and Police Commissioners have been advised to invoke Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, in their respective districts restricting the assembly of five or more than five people in public places. This and several other decisions were taken in a meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here to review the steps being taken to check the spread of COVID-19, here. Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala and Health Minister Anil Vij were also present in the meeting. After school and colleges, it has also been decided that coaching centres in the State would be closed upto March 31.
The Chief Minister urged the government employees to remain alert and available 24x7 in this time of need and said that they have to play a vital role to tackle this pandemic. The role of employees in this situation should help to create awareness among people to take precautions and maintain social distancing, he added. He directed the officers concerned to ensure the availability of adequate stock of essential commodities and assured the people that there would be no shortage of essential commodities. It was decided that while imposing section 144 of CrPC, the norms of social distancing would also be ensured. It was also decided that the respective General Managers of Haryana Roadways in the districts would be authorized to take decision regarding reducing the frequency of Intra-State and Inter-State public transport depending upon the number of passengers on day to day basis. Though the frequency of buses could be reduced upto 40 per cent, they would also make sure that passengers do not suffer. The City Bus service in Gurugram shall be curtailed till further orders. The police department would also set up quarantine facilities and isolation wards on the pattern of Health Department. It was also decided that dry ration would be distributed to the beneficiaries of Angwanwadi Centres at their doorstep.
It was informed that bio metric system in all the fair price shops has been suspended for this month and the beneficiaries under the Public Distribution System could take ration without biometric authentication. It was informed that the State has adequate stock of commodities like moong dal, chana dal, rice and wheat floor.
VULNERABLE HRY EMPLOYEES TO WORK FROM HOME
Taking a step to prevent the spread of corona virus, Haryana government has decided that vulnerable employees, including outsourcing employees, such as employees above the age of 50 years, employees with underlying medical conditions, pregnant women, etc. can work from home. A government spokesperson said that a letter has been issued in this regard to all administrative secretaries, heads of departments, in-charge of departments. He said that the competent authority may require the services of such employees at any time. Hence, all such employees working from home shall maintain headquarters and be in readiness for deployment at short notice.