Amid spike in COVID cases, MHA asks CAPFs to consider work from home where it's feasible

Concerned over spike in number of COVID-19 cases in police force, Centre on Sunday suggested CAPFs to consider option of work from home wherever it is feasible.

In a letter to Chief Secretaries, Para-military Chief and DGs about protocols for Police Personnel (CAPFs) who have been ensuring implication of COVID-19 lockdown, Ministry of Home Affairs asked Head of Police Forces (HoPFs) to consider option of work from home for personnel who have t been deployed on frontline and wherever else is feasible.

READ | Post-May 3 Lockdown Guidelines: MHA Clarifies Buses Will t Ply In Orange Zones

'Keep a second line of defence ready': MHA

Ministry also suggested states to prepare a second line of defence to fight spread of virus on frontline as a large number of cops are w being infected in various parts of country.

"To meet challenge of COVID-19, and to ensure sustainment of control strategy for COVID- 19, police forces need to prepare an effective second line of defence to make up for police personnel who may be rendered ineffective due to COVID infection during pandemic," Home Ministry said.

MHA has also written to all Chief Secretaries of Union Territories, States and DGs of prisons to ensure manment of prisons in accordance with COVID-19 protocols.  Ministry has issued specific guidelines to be followed when dealing with arrested persons in prisons or correction homes.

READ | MHA Clarifies On Inter-state Movement Of Stranded Migrants, Excludes Certain Categories

COVID-19 cases rise in India

total number of COVID-19 cases in India crossed 40,000 mark, after 2,487 cases were reported in last 24 hours, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed on Sunday.

tally of active positive cases stands at 28,070 while 10,887 patients have recovered from COVID-19 in country. With this, number of cases in India has risen to 40,263, including 1,306 deaths due to virus. Despite an increase in tally of cases, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said that country’s COVID-19 mortality rate is lowest in world.

READ | MHA To Use Its Control Room For Complaint Redressal Of Drivers/transporters Amid Lockdown

READ | COVID-19: MHA Reconstitutes Empowered Groups