Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Cabinet Secretary on March 17, 2020, held a review meeting with the officials concerned from various Ministries/Departments, here. During the meeting, he emphasised on the implementation of Social Distancing measures as detailed by guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. He stated that social distancing would have a major impact in limiting the spread of the disease. He also reviewed preparedness of various states for quarantine facilities, hospital management, and awareness campaigns.
In order to ensure effective and seamless coordination between the Centre and the States, 30 nodal officers of the level of Joint Secretary and above have been drawn from various Ministries to liaison, coordinate and help the States with respect to anything that is required from the Government of India. They will be deputed to the States, and shall work in close coordination with the State authorities for coordinating the preparedness and response measures. An orientation meeting of all the officers will be held on March 18, 2020.
Secretary (HFW) has also written to the Secretaries of all Ministries/Departments, Govt. of India, on March 17 requesting them to implement the various guidelines/advisories that have been issued and are applicable to them and the organisations under them.
Guidelines on Clinical Management of COVID-19 triage (early recognition of patients), implementation of infection prevention, and control measures have been revised and updated. Guidelines have been issued for Dead Body Management towards standard precautions, infection prevention and control measures, handling of the body and environmental disinfection. Guidelines have also been issued for Private Sector Laboratories Intending to Initiate COVID-19 Testing.
An advisory has issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) citing preventive measures to be taken by all employees of Ministries/ Departments to control the spread of COVID-19. All Ministries/ Departments have been advised the following: Installation of thermal scanners at the entry of Government buildings, as feasible. Mandatory placing of hand sanitisers at the entry of Government buildings. Those found having flu-like symptoms may be advised to take proper treatment/quarantine etc.
Discouragement to the maximum extent, entry of visitors in the office complex. Routine issue of visitors/temporary passes should be suspended with immediate effect. Only those visitors who have proper permission of the officer who they want to meet, should be allowed after being properly screened. Meetings, as far as feasible, should be done through video conferencing. To minimise or reschedule meetings involving large number of people unless necessary; Avoidance of non-essential official travel.
Undertaking essential correspondence on official email and avoid sending files and documents to other offices, to the extent possible. Facilitating delivery and receipt of dak at the entry point itself of the office building, as far as practicable. Closing all gyms/recreation centres/creches located in Government buildings. Ensuring proper cleaning and frequent sanitisation of the work-place, particularly of the frequently touched surfaces. Ensuring regular supply of hand sanitisers, soap and running water in the washrooms.
All officials may be advised to take care of their own health and look out for respiratory symptoms/fever and, if feeling unwell, should leave the workplace immediately after informing their reporting officers. They should observe home-quarantine as per the guidelines issued by MoHFW. The leave sanctioning authorities have been advised to sanction leave whenever any request is made for self-quarantine as a precautionary measure, according to a PIB release.