Odishatv Bureau

New Delhi: The Center has directed States to enforce strict implementation of the lockdown and ensure that there is no movement of people across cities.

The Cabinet secretary and Ministry of Home Affairs are in constant touch with State Chief Secretaries and DGPs and the situation is being monitored round the clock.

However, there has been movement of migrant workers in some parts of the country. Directions were issued that district and state borders should be effectively sealed. States were directed to ensure there is no movement of people across cities or on highways. Only movement of goods should be allowed. DMs and SPs should be made personally responsible for implementation of these directions which have been issued under the DM Act, said a government release.

It has been advised that adequate arrangements for food and shelter of poor and needy people including migrant laborers be made at the place of their work. Centre had yesterday issued orders for use of SDRF funds for this purpose and there is dufficient funds with States in this head.

States have been also told to ensure timely payment of wages to labourers at their place of work during the period of lockdown without any cut. House Rent should not be demanded from the labourers for this period and action should be taken against those who are asking labourers or students to vacate the premises.

Besides, those who have violated the lockdown and traveled during the period of lockdown will have to go for a minimum of 14 days of quarantine in government quarantine facilities, the release read adding that detailed instructions on monitoring of such persons during quarantine have been issued to States.

On the other hand, the central and state governments on Sunday issued consolidated guidelines for the containment of coronavirus in the wake of a 21-day countrywide lockdown.

According to the guidelines, hospitals, veterinary hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories and research labs will continue to remain functional.

"The transportation for all medical personnel, nurses, paramedical staff and other hospital support services be permitted," it added.

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Private establishments have also been directed to remain closed, except for shops, banks, print, electronic media, telecommunications, internet services, etc.

The guidelines stated that the offices of government of India, state and union territories will remain closed, barring few exceptions.

Offices related to Defence, central armed police forces, emergency services, electricity, water, social welfare department, agencies engaged in procurement of agricultural products etc will remain open during the lockdown till April 14.

Industrial units for manufacturing of drugs, medical devices, and production of coal, minerals and fertilizers will also function during the lockdown. Transport and hospitality services will also remain shut.

People who arrived in India after February 15 have been asked to remain in self-quarantine, failing which action will be taken against them under Section 188 (disobedience to order) of the Indian Penal Code.

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"Any person violation the containment measure will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC," the guidelines stated.

Later in the day, Home Ministry asked the States/UTs to take following necessary measures to mitigate economic hardship of migrant workers who are returning to their hometowns while ensuring effective implementation of lockdown measures.

https://twitter.com/otvnews/status/1244222383734419456

The Indian Government has set up 11 empowered groups to ensure a comprehensive and integrated response to COVID-19.

https://twitter.com/otvnews/status/1244306287585685504

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Later in the day, the Home Ministry issued revised directive to Chief Secretaries of States after incorporating some changes into addendum orders to the guidelines on lockdown measures.

https://twitter.com/otvnews/status/1244300560485892098

(With IANS Inputs)

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