With the state witnessing record jump in Covid-19 cases and deaths, Haryana Government on Thursday imposed fresh restrictions to close shops dealing in non-essential items in crowded markets by 6 pm from April 23 onwards.
Apart from this, anybody holding any function within prescribed limit will now have to seek permission from concerned SDM (Sub Divisional Magistrate) in the state.
These decisions were taken during the cabinet meeting held under Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Thursday.
The Chief Minister, while talking to the mediapersons after the meeting said that the standalone stores located in less crowded areas would be exempted, but deputy commissioners of the district concerned will take a final decision on this. The order will be strictly applicable on shops located in crowded areas, which will be closed by 6 pm, he said.
The State Government had already imposed night curfew from 10 pm to 5. Apart from this, a gathering of upto 50 people is allowed inside the marriage palace, while in outdoor venues, the gathering limit is 200 persons. Similarly, a gathering of 20 persons is allowed for cremation.
Khattar reiterated that the Haryana Government is not contemplating to impose any lockdown in the state his time, no industrial unit would be shut down. The industries which are running their operations in congested areas, would be asked to follow the prescribed COVID-19 protocols while carrying out their operations, he added.
Responding to a question regarding the current status of availability of beds with ventilators for COVID-19 patients in the hospitals across the state, the Chief Minister said that the facility of availability of beds has been made online in Gurugram and Faridabad districts.
Other districts have also been directed to do the same. Besides this, about 500 beds have been arranged at Sgt Medical College, Gurugram, 150 beds are being arranged in the industrial area and 50 more beds have been arranged today, he said.
Khattar said that DRDO is also making arrangements for 500 bedded hospitals each in Panipat and Hisar for COVID-19 patients. Talks were also held with the ChandiMandir Cantonment and they have assured to provide doctors and other staff for these hospitals, said the Chief Minister.
When asked about black marketing of Remedesivir injection, he said that even in a pandemic-like situation, if someone is doing black marketing, then strict action will be taken against those involved in this crime.
1000 Remedesivir injections were supplied in government hospitals till Wednesday and the supply will be further increased in government hospitals. However, the private hospitals are making arrangements for this injection at their own levels, he said.
On costly treatment of COVID-19 patients in private hospitals, he said as per the infrastructure offered in private hospitals, the charges of ventilator beds are fixed from Rs 8000 to Rs 18,000. If a hospital charges more than this, then strict action will be taken against such hospital, provided if any complaint in this regard is received, he added.