Directing district officials to enforce total lock- down wherever there were 10 or more COVID-19 patients, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that there should be no relaxation in the norms in these districts and lockdown should be enforced strictly.
“Lockdown means total lockdown. It should be followed strictly and the violators should be dealt with strictly,” Yogi said while addressing a high-level review meeting on lockdown at his office in Lok Bhawan in Lucknow on Wednesday.
The chief minister said that no one should suffer due to non-availability of foodgrain and the supply chain should be maintained during lockdown. “Any lapse in supply chain will not be tolerated,” he warned.
“Those involved in the supply chain should be medically examined and food quality of community kitchens should be checked regularly,” he said.
Stressing on the immediate need of increasing testing facilities, Yogi said that every divisional headquarters should have a testing lab. He also emphasised on extensive training of medical technicians to expedite sample testing so that people got quality treatment.
The chief minister directed the health officials to clear pending sample testing and seal those private hospitals which did not adhere to COVID-19 safety norms.
“A medical officer should be assigned to inspect facilities and other logistics in private hospitals and medical colleges,” he said.
Yogi was informed that 77 per cent of wheat crop had been harvested across the state and 30 lakh quintals of wheat had been purchased of which 62 per cent was purchased at the doorsteps of the farmers.
“There is no shortage of labourers for harvesting as migrant labourers, who have completed quarantine, are engaged for it,” the officials told the chief minister in the meeting.
Yogi was also informed that 6,980 industrial units were functional in the state, engaging over 1.25 lakh workers, while around 12,027 brick kilns were functional where 12-15 lakh labourers were working.
Besides, 96 of the 119 sugar mills are in the process of crushing cane and had engaged over 60,000 workers.
The chief minister ordered that there should be no restriction of movement of finished goods and raw materials for industrial units or MSMEs under Central government’s norms .
Yogi said that natives of other states residing in UP would be sent back to their respective states if they desired. He said that the administration should ensure there was no gathering of people during sehri and iftar during Ramzan and all facilities should be made available.
Meanwhile on the COVID-19 front, the chief minister directed that all hospitals should have oxygen facilities for patients at dedicated COVID hospitals while testing labs should be extended at divisional level.