New Delhi (NVI): The government today directed all the public transport to consider a decrease in the frequency of their services and alternate seating to ensure social distancing, in its latest set of measures to prevent coronavirus from spreading further in the country.
Addressing the media, Ministry of Health, Joint Secretary Lav Aggarwal said, “With respect to public transport, it is directed that metros, railways, buses and airplanes shall consider a decrease in the frequency of their services, alternate seating to ensure social distancing.”
“Effective disinfection and crowd management be ensured in places like railway stations, metro stations, bus stands, and airports,” he said.
In a briefing, the government also requested Indian nationals to ensure hand and respiratory hygiene, environmental sanitation measures like routine cleaning of frequently used surfaces, minimizing the sharing of objects; and ensuring appropriate ventilation besides social distancing.
“There shouldn’t be any kind of panic among the community, We all have to put the collective effort,” said Lav Agarwal.
In continuation of already issued advisories, Department of Personnel and Training has issued orders to reduce the contact and congestion in government offices, the Ministry informed in a briefing.
“These include allowing Group C & D employees to attend offices on alternate weeks and staggered timings for Group A & B employees,” it said adding that states shall issue instructions for regulating hours in all services except for essential services.
Industrial establishments to consider staggered timings and regulation of crowd in the market should also be resorted, the ministry said.
“In order to protect the most vulnerable of our population, all states shall issue appropriate instructions wherein all citizens above 65 years except for public representatives/government servants/medical professionals should be advised to remain at home,” said Lav Aggarwal.
“Avoid gatherings except for medical reasons and need for essential services. Similarly, all children below 10 years of age should be advised to remain at home and avoid going to public parks, picnics and other games requiring large number of participants,” he added.
In consultation with medical professionals, detailed advisory shall be issued for all health establishments to avoid non-urgent hospitalization and minimize elective surgeries. This is being done to avoid hospital-related infections to the vulnerable and prepare hospitals for meeting challenges posed by Coronavirus.
Youth and citizens are urged to become volunteers to support the government’s ongoing efforts in the management of COVID-19, he added.
