Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Apr 27: “The officials should strictly enforce the guidelines that have been announced to contain the second wave of Covid from April 27 till May 12. Action under the Epidemic Act will be taken against officials who do not perform their duty,” warned district deputy commissioner G Jagadeesh.
He was speaking after presiding over a meeting of officials held at the district panchayat auditorium on Tuesday about the implementation of Covid protocol.
“Enforce the guidelines as a whole. Covid should be controlled in the district. Permit train and flight passengers to travel, their tickets can serve as passes to travel. Patients that need emergency treatment are allowed to travel by auto-rickshaw, taxi or private vehicles. Permit only home delivery from hotels and restaurants,” he said.
“Staffs who provide emergency services are allowed to travel on the basis of ID cards held by them. People employed in factories other than garment industries on night duty holding relevant documents can travel. Employees of print and electronic media can travel given that they have their ID cards. There are no restrictions on the movement of goods vehicles,” he said.
“Purchase of essential commodities can be done from 6 am to 10 am. People should not travel to shops located at long distances. The officials should look into this. Suspend the trade license of shops that remain open after 10 am. Those who are getting vaccinated can do so from the nearest hospitals. Suitable social distancing should be maintained at the vaccination centres,” he said.
“Building and construction activities can be continued. Employers should issue identity cards to their employees. Fishing can be conducted within the stipulated time gap. There are no restrictions on agriculture,” he added.
“A maximum of 50 people can be present during weddings. Only a maximum of five people can be present at funerals. Flying squad officials have visited the places of recent weddings and ensured that there were no violations of Covid protocol. They should continue performing the work with diligence,” he said.
Set up checkposts on district border
Deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha also asked the setting up of checkposts on the border of the district, to prevent the public from travelling unnecessarily, following the lockdown order from the state government from April 27 to May 12.
"Open checkposts on the border of the district and deploy staffs. Allow the people to enter the district on medical grounds and the people with the passes after holding terminal screening."
With permission, blood donation camps will be allowed and those concerned will be also allowed to commute in the district.
"A report should be submitted regarding the people who are under isolation and quarantine. The people who come out from home quarantine and home isolation, even after being tested positive, will be booked," he warned.
He also asked officials to form containment zone and micro containment zones where the cases have been found. Further, he directed officials to increase the tests and identify the cases and take measures to check the spread.
"Send a report, after examining the private hospitals to reserve 75% beds for the patients referred by the district administration. Take measures to set up a home care centre for those who do not have the facility of home isolation. Open Covid Care Centre in all the taluks," he said.
The public should strictly adhere to the Covid guidelines and wear masks and maintain social distance. Fine will imposed on those who violate the guidelines, the DC stressed.
In handling the situation last year, the district was a role model in the state. Even this year the officers should work responsibly. He sought public cooperation in containing the spread of Covid-19.
Zilla panchayat CEO, Dr Navin Bhat, additional DC Sadashiva Prabhu, Kundapur sub-divisional officer Raju, district panchayat assistant secretary Kiran Padnekar, chief project officer Srinivas Rao and various department officials were present.