The West Bengal Health Department has issued a notification ordering all “frontline medical personnel in government hospitals” to “stay in their headquarters and not commute daily” to their residences.

The government order has further stated that any departure from their work headquarters in case of unavoidable circumstances will require prior permission from the head of the concerned medical institution.

This comes as an important development in the state amid the lockdown and is being cited as a step to reduce physical and mental strain on all medical personnel as well as to reduce the potential risk of them being “exposed to infection of the virus”.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously ordered a “seven-day shift system” of the medical professionals so as to “enable them to rest and recuperate” for a week after working for seven days.

The heads of medical institutions have been advised accordingly to create duty rosters keeping the new norm in mind.

The notification also asks the district authorities/CMOHs/ Medical institution heads and all others concerned to take immediate and necessary action regarding the issue especially as it suggests that the administration has already arranged for proper boarding and lodging facilities for the medical staff nearby their workplace so as to avoid their commutation to and from their residences.