Coronavirus: Odisha govt puts restrictions on ministers' foreign visit

Amid growing concern over spre of coronavirus, Odisha government on Saturday put restrictions on foreign visit of ministers and senior officers, while Goverr Ganeshi Lal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said y will t celebrate Holi.

state government has also exempted its employees from using biometric system to mark ir attendance until furr orders, an official statement said.

General ministration Department has been told to restrict foreign travel of all ministers and officers, official statement said after Patnaik reviewed situation in state.

Health and Family Welfare Department has been asked to make emergency procurement of sufficient numbers of N-95 masks and personal protective equipment (PPEs) for healthcare

personnel.

department will also ensure buffer stocks of essential drugs and surgical equipment to meet requirement for next nine months and chief secretary and district officials have been asked to review situation daily.

Patnaik said all hospitals, including private ones, must be asked to set up isolation wards.

He also directed officials to arrange meetings at panchayat level to spre awareness on contagious disease with flu-like symptoms.

statement also asked transport department to ensure that seats, handles and bars of all public transport vehicles are sanitized every day.

Masks may be provided to travellers who cough and sneeze frequently, it said.

Floors, tables, desks, door handles and bars at educational institutions must be disinfected every day, it said, ding that children who are sick should be vised to stay at home.

(PTI Im)