Taking strict cognisance of the slackness in exercises for prevention and control of Novel Coronavirus as well as in sampling works by Incident Commanders and Chief Municipal Officers or Zone Commissioners, District Collector Dr S Bharathi Dasan has issued fresh guidelines and strictures for these officials. All of them have been asked to take penal action against people violating social distancing norms and for not wearing masks.

 

Despite considerable decline in COVID-19 positive cases in the capital, it is necessary to carry out exercises for prevention and control of Novel Coronavirus along with sampling works. During recent review slackness was found on the part of Incident Commanders and Chief Municipal Officers or Zone Commissioners, CEO Janpad Panchayats, etc in the prevention of Novel Coronavirus and carrying out sampling works.

 

As per the fresh guidelines, all Incident Commanders and Chief Municipal Officers or Zone Commissioners, CEO Janpad Panchayats, etc have been asked to ensure compliance of physical distancing norms and wearing masks which is mandatory in public places.

 

All flying squads appointed by the district administration should be made active. Making availability of police personnel for flying squads is the responsibility of Additional SP (City) and Additional SP (Rural) in their respective jurisdiction.

 

In case of finding any person not wearing a mask or persons violating physical distancing norms, a fine should be imposed upon them as per norms. Action taken report should be submitted on a daily basis to Nodal Officer (Additional Collector) B C Sahu.

 

For prevention and control of Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, it is necessary to carry out contact tracing and random sampling exercises. The review revealed that random sampling targets are not being met, which is a matter of grave concern. Joint Collector U S Agrawal has been made Nodal Officer for carrying out sampling works, who will be fixing sampling targets for Incident Commanders on daily basis and execute the sampling works.

 

The Collector further added that it is necessary to carry out exercises like physical distancing, wearing masks and washing/sanitizing hands from time to time for prevention and control as well as breaking the chain of COVID-19 infection. The officials concerned should ensure thorough publicity of these acts through all kinds of publicity means.