Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, in an interaction with media here on March 4, 2020, shared the efforts being made by the Government to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
He said India has taken the Coronavirus threat very seriously. PM Narendra Modi himself is leading the efforts from the front and monitoring the situation daily. Principal Secretary to Prime Minister and the Cabinet Secretary are holding meetings with the Chief Secretaries and other officials concerned of all the State and UTs through video conferencing on day to day basis. Health Ministry, under the leadership of Dr Harsh Vardhan, is also maintaining a close watch on the situation, especially in setting up of Isolation Wards across the country and screening of the people coming to India from abroad. An Isolation Camp has already been set up on the ITBP Campus at Manesar which is functioning 24×7.
Javadekar informed the Government has already brought and treated Indians who were stuck in Wuhan (China), epicentre of Coronavirus spread. One hundred twenty-four Indians and 5 foreigners who were stuck in a Japanese Ship, and some of whom were suspected to be having Coronavirus infection, were rescued, tested, and were found to be negative. Passengers are being screened 24×7 at all the 21 international airports. Six lakh visitors have been screened so far. About one million people have been screened in the border areas adjoining Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. Villages in border areas adjoining neighbouring countries are also being taken care of.
He said while there was only 1 Virology Lab in the country at Pune, Maharashtra, the Government has set up 15 new Virology Labs and 19 more will be set up within one week across the country. Travel advisories have also been issued. A big awareness campaign has been launched across the country especially in schools, colleges and elsewhere and people are being made aware about the “Do’s and Don’ts” to prevent possible infection, javadekar added, according to a PIB release.