Bhubaneswar: In view of the coronavirus outbreak, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday directed general administration department to restrict foreign travel of all ministers and officers.
While reviewing the preparedness to tackle the situation arising out of coronavirus outbreak, Patnaik also directed the health and family welfare department to make emergency procurement of sufficient quantities of N95 masks and other protective equipment.
The CM also directed the department to keep buffer stocks of essential drugs and surgical equipment to meet the requirement for at least nine months. Special directions have also been issued to all hospitals including private hospitals to set up dedicated isolation wards and maintain necessary clinical protocols.
As per reports, the Chief Secretary and collectors have been asked to review the situation arising out of the coronavirus outbreak on a daily basis at the State and district levels, respectively.
Besides, the housing and urban development department has been asked to ensure that all urban local bodies maintain cleanliness with proper waste disposal mechanism. Special care will be taken at all Aahar Kendras which provide rice and dal at a subsidized rate of Rs 5 per meal.
Senior officials of Odisha government informed that school and mass education department will issue an advisory so that floors, tables, desks, door handles at all educational institutions are disinfected every day.
The department will also ensure that sick children stay home and adequate soaps are available at schools to ensure proper hand washing by children, said that official.
Meanwhile, Panchayati Raj and drinking water department will conduct special gram panchayat samiti meetings to create awareness on COVID-19.
The boimetric attendance system have been relaxed in all government offices in the State until further order. Similarly, coronavirus safety awareness posters have been put up in all departments of the Lok Seva Bhawan.
Asked about the preparedness to deal with coronavirus, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, "Everyone who needs to be briefed has been appraised of what is to be done."
Amid the scare of the deadly virus, a youth from Khaira area of Balasore, who had been working in China, has returned to his village. Doctors at Balasore hospital conduct his health check-up, but did not find any symptom of coronavirus.
Similarly, two non-resident Odias have returned to Gajapati district from Dubai. They have also underwent health check-up today at the local hospital.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked people not to believe the rumours being spread on social media about the deadly coronavirus. The Centre has also taken up massive awareness campaign over the deadly virus.