Enough PPE kits, Covid hospital in Gurugram soon: Deputy commissioner

Sharad Kohli | TNN | Updated: Apr 9, 2020, 12:40 IST

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I am happy that everyone is following the advisories in letter and spirit.” In a virtual town hall with TOI, Gurugram deputy commissioner Amit Khatri spoke on issues around the spread of the Coronavirus and the challenges of life during a lockdown. He went out of his way to offer assurances on, for example, availability of vegetables and fruits. “We are adequately stocked, so there would not be any disruption to essential supplies,” he shared over video call. Khatri also said that there would be as little interruption as possible to civic services like garbage collection. Representatives from city RWAs also took part in the discussion, besides which the DC answered questions shared by listeners over Facebook and Twitter.
While Gurugram has so far escaped the worst, how prepared is the city for a spike in cases?
Up till now, it has been well contained, all thanks to the support of the citizens of Gurugram – they have been very particular about following the lockdown. If the number of cases rises, the key pressure would be felt on the medical facilities. So, we will shortly be establishing a dedicated Covid hospital, one to begin with, but we’ll be expanding it as per requirements. Regarding medical supplies like sanitisers, gloves, masks and PPE suits, we are well placed. The good thing is that our existing manufacturing industry has been redeployed, and many of those units are now producing medical goods. So, we are well placed with respect to facilities and supplies, and we should be able to tackle it.
How concerned is the administration that Palwal, Faridabad and Mewat, Gurugram’s neighbours, are daily seeing an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases?
It definitely is a concern. To tackle this, we’re following standard operating protocol, which includes contact-tracing anybody who’s been in touch with somebody who has been diagnosed as positive, and quarantining all such persons and their families. So, we’re following it strictly to ensure the virus does not spread, and that containment, as far as possible, turns out to be successful.
How will the govt ensure multinationals and startups, as well Gurugram’s many small industries, can work on a plan that
guarantees business continuity with the minimum of disruption?
Economic stimulus is being taken up for every stakeholder, right from the top till the very bottom. We realise the necessity of continuity of operations, be it industrial or commercial. Because, this is affecting every one of us. Once things begin to get back to normal, I’m sure a considered decision would be taken. It would logically be a step-down approach, like we had gone for a step-up approach earlier, beginning with work from home and then scaling down industry. But we’ll be awaiting final instructions, and it would be a collective decision of all stakeholders.
The question on many people’s minds is, ‘Is there a timeline for when the lockdown will be lifted in Gurugram?’
Not immediately. Personally, I would consider the strategy successful and fit for a reversal of the lockdown once we see a stagnation in the number of cases, and no fresh cases. I don’t see that happening yet. In such a scenario, if we put things back to normal, I don’t think that’s going to benefit everyone in the long run.
What is being done to guarantee hassle-free daily delivery of newspapers?
Media is one of the specified essential categories, and the government is always appreciative of the media presenting correct news. From the government side, I don’t think there is any restriction on movement, or otherwise; if that is so, I would sort it out. We should follow the intent, which is free circulation of information. We’ll definitely convey to societies that it is safe; I don’t want any society to take a decision just on plain assumption, and I don’t see any reason behind this decision. But if it is being taken, we’ll counsel them.