More on Covid-19

BHUBANESWAR: Describing the “situation” arising out of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) a “disaster” for the state, the Odisha government on Friday notified a new ‘Odisha Covid-19 Regulations 2020’ under which anyone not going into isolation or failing to get admitted to a hospital over a suspected case of coronavirus infection may be prosecuted under IPC Section 188, which has a maximum jail term of six months.Under the Odisha Covid-19 Regulations, anyone who has travelled to any corona-affected country in the past 14 days has to voluntarily report it to the state control room and follow the authorities’ advice.If a Covid-19 case is reported in a locality, the district collectors can bar entry or exit of people to the area, designate any government building as a quarantine facility and initiate surveillance of positive cases.Odisha has not reported a positive case so far.Announcing the government decision in the state assembly after chairing a cabinet meeting, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said, “The last 45 days has seen human beings as a race facing one of the biggest challenges of the century. We are faced with a threat that does not discriminate between developed countries and under-developed countries, between democratic or non-democratic countries. Rich and poor societies all are equally vulnerable.”By terming it a ‘disaster’ under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the government has delegated additional powers to certain officials to take steps like putting curbs on public activities and a free hand in purchase of required medicines, equipment and machines in case the situation so demands.The health and family welfare department and its directorates, district collectors and municipal commissioners can make emergency procurement of drugs and consumables, equipment and other required services necessary to contain Covid-19. The officers have been authorised to impose restrictions on congregations to ensure ‘social distancing’ to contain the spread of the disease.The CM also approved a Rs 200-crore package to deal with the likely public health challenge that could arise out of the virus attack.Additionally, he announced the closure of schools and colleges, film theatres and gymnasiums and asked people to cancel seminars and conferences till March 31. Educational institutions, however, will go ahead and conduct scheduled exams. For wedding receptions, one has to take permission from local authorities.