Coronavirus in India: Govt asks States to ensure smooth supply of medical oxygen

Coronavirus in India: Govt asks States to ensure smooth supply of medical oxygen

In a letter to states, the home ministry said there is a critical need to maintain adequate supply of medical oxygen in the country in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic

Medical oxygen is a part of WHO's list of essential medicines

In wake of the rising cases of coronavirus in the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked all state governments to ensure a smooth and hassle-free supply of medical oxygen in their respective states.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has written a letter to all the state Chief Secretaries to give special attention on keeping the supply of medical oxygen smooth and hassle-free, according to a statement issued by home ministry on Monday.

In the letter to states, Ajay Kumar Bhalla said that there is a critical need to maintain adequate supply of medical oxygen in the country in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and that medical oxygen is also included in the national list and WHO's list of essential medicines. He also emphasized that all manufacturing units of medical oxygen and related items, their transport and cross land border movements, workers engaged in factories are exempted from lockdown.

"Within the consolidated guidelines, manufacturing units of medical devices, their raw materials and intermediates; manufacturing units of their packaging material; transportation of essential goods and medical supplies and mobilisation of resources, workers and material for augmentation and expansion of hospital infrastructure have been permitted," the ministry said.

The MHA has also issued a detailed guideline to all states for smooth functioning of supply chain of exempted items, involving inter-state movement of employees, on April 3, 2020, it added.

The communication also stressed that social distancing and proper hygiene practices must be ensured in each of the above activities, as specified in the lockdown measures. "It will be the responsibility of the head of the organisation/establishment to ensure compliance of such norms," it said.

The MHA has asked the district authorities to ensure strict enforcement of 21-day lockdown that was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, India has reported 354 COVID-19 positive cases in the last 24 hours (ending Tuesday morning), while the country's death toll has risen to 114. Presently, India has a total of 3,981 active cases, 325 have been cured or discharged or migrated.