Odisha declares Covid-19 a disaster, announces Rs 200 crore package

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government on Friday announced novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a disaster for the state and approved Rs 200 crore package to deal with the public health challenges. The state has not reported any positive COVID-19 case so far.
By naming it as ‘disaster’ for the state under the provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005, the government has empowered public officials to take steps to combat the spread of COVID-19. The state cabinet chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik also approved a new ‘The Odisha COVID-19 Regulations 2020’ under which some officers have been given powers to take measures necessary to prevent the outbreak of COVID-19. Under the regulations, anyone who has travelled to any corona affected country has to voluntarily report it to the state control room.
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The Rs 200 crore will augment the Public Health Response Fund to combat the threat of the pandemic and for making required expenditure.
The government announced closure of schools and colleges, cinema halls, gymnasiums and asked people to cancel seminars and conferences till March 31. For holding wedding receptions, one has to take permission from local government authorities. The school examinations, however, will continue as per schedule. The on-going budget session of the state assembly was postponed till March 29.
Making a statement in this regard in the state assembly, Naveen said, “Very few times in the history of the world have human beings as a race faced challenges beyond their comprehension. With advances in science, this phenomenon has become a rarity. However, the last 45 days has seen human beings as a race facing one of the biggest challenges of the century.”
“We are faced with a threat that does not discriminate between developed countries and under developed countries between democratic or non-democratic countries. Rich and Poor societies all are equally vulnerable. UK’s Health Minister, the first family of Canada, Senators in the US, Half of Iran’s Cabinet, major Movie stars, Sports persons – the virus has not spared any one,” he said.
Stating that “This extraordinary circumstance calls for an extraordinary response,” the CM said, “This response cannot be only at the individual, government or sectoral level. Each one of us in Odisha has to rise to the occasion, and be responsible. In the absence of any vaccine or treatment our collective responsibility is the only hope we have, to fight this epidemic.”
“We must remain calm but not complacent . We must remain prepared, but not panic,” Naveen said.
The government authorised the health and family welfare department and its directorates, as well as the district collectors and the municipal commissioners for making emergency procurement of necessary drugs and consumables, equipment and other required services necessary to prevent, contain COVID-19.
The competent officers have been authorised to impose required restrictions on assemblies, congregations, institutions and establishments aiming at ‘social distancing’ to contain the spread of the disease by invoking powers under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
The government also formed an Empowered Group of Ministers and announced to form a committee of secretaries under the chairmanship of chief secretary to evaluate the emerging situation and take all necessary steps for preventing, containing the spread of COVID-19 in the State.
Naveen said, "The experience of China and Singapore and Italy has given us a learning on what to do and what not to do. I must confess the entire world is on a learning curve about handling this disaster. This is where it is very important that the four and half crore Odias join together and help us in managing the situation. Each one of us has a responsibility to ourselves, to our families and to the communities we live in."
Pointing out that social distancing is the only effective measure to prevent its spread, Naveen said “All of us should ruthlessly practice social distancing. Just keep interactions to the most essential levels and even in that take all precautions. Being at home, reducing social interactions and avoiding gatherings will cut down the vulnerability to a great extent.”
Naveen warned stringent action against rumour-mongering, misinformation and irresponsible conduct.