New Delhi: Going ahead with its intention to stop the chain of transmission of Covid-19, the central government on Sunday announced total lockdown in 75 districts from 22 states across India.
The lockdown will continue till March 31 and if necessary lockdown will extend to more districts as well.
The decision was taken in a meeting between Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba and Chief Secretaries of different states.
All the state government have also been asked to have dedicated Covid19 hospitals to treat patients.
"Districts with Covid 19 positive death as well as suspicious cases have come under lockdown," said a government official.
Essential services like medical, fire brigade, grocery shops among others will be exempted from the preview of the lockdown.
Some of the major decisions that were taken in the meeting include:
1. All train services suspended till 31st March including suburban rail services. However, good trains are exempted.
2. All metro rail services suspended till 31st March. State government to issue orders allowing only essential services to operate in about 75 districts with confirmed Covid19 cases.
3. Interstate passenger transport also to be suspended till 31st March.
Also read: MP locks down 10 districts; seals inter-state borders
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference Luv Agarwal, joint secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that state government have been asked to get ready to face any possible crisis.
"State government have been advised to increase its capacity with all necessary actions if there is an increase in Covid 19 positive cases," Aggarwal said.
Aggarwal said that government has put an order for 1200 ventilators for Covid-19 purpose.
Aggarwal said that the government has adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
"We are also trying to increase the stock for PPE with Make in India concept," said Aggrawla denying reports that India has failed to create stockpiles of PPE such as masks, gowns, and gloves.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director-General Balram Bhargava said that his department is working to find exact drugs for Covid 19.
"We have several medicines, some of the cocktail and many with a combination. There are antiviral drugs available and we are processing them," said Bhargava.
Bhargava said that India has enough number of laboratories for testing Covid 19 cases. "We have the capacity to do 60000-70,000 test every week. Although in the last week we have done 15000. Right now we are testing those people coming from abroad and carry some symptoms,"
Bhargava said that apart from the existing 111 government labs, permission has been given to 60 more private labs.
"Indiscriminate testing need not be done," said Bhargava.
Also read: Several areas across West Bengal to be under lockdown from Monday 5 pm to Mar 27
Meanwhile, the ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions in an office memorandum has asked heads of government departments to draw up a Roster of Staff who are required to render essential services within each department.
"The office should function with a skeletal staff," the memorandum said.
Meanwhile, officials in the Health Ministry said that India registered 5 deaths due to Covid 19 till Sunday with 341 total positive cases.
As many as 23 patients have also been discharged from hospital after treatment.
