CHENNAI: An inter-ministerial Central team led by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Joint Secretary V Thiruppugazh on Saturday inspected the measures taken to prevent COVID-19 infection in Chennai and other areas. The team is also scheduled to visit more places in the coming days. 

On Saturday morning, the team held discussions with Chief Secretary K Shanmugam at the secretariat about the enforcement of lockdown and other issues. The officials also spoke with Chennai Corporation Commissioner G Prakash and other officials.

At Alwarpet, the officials interacted with 53 migrant labourers at a community hall and enquired about
their situation. Later, they visited a fair price shop in in the region and inspected the essential commodity packets worth `500 that were being distributed to the public. 

Later in the day, the Central team visited the Communicable Diseases Hospital at Tondiarpet and inspected the isolation wards where COVID-19 patients are admitted. They also met migrant labourers housed at a community hall in Periamet and visited a containment zone in Pudupet.

Meanwhile, Health Minister C Vijaya Bakser said that the team had appreciated the State government's containment plan and maintenance of hospitals. "Another team from the Centre, a technical one, is inspecting all government hospitals," he added.

53 migrant labourers at a community hall in Alwarpet interacted with the officials when enquired about their situation

Places the team inspected 
The central team visited fair price shop and inspected the essential commodities packets worth `1,500 that were being distributed to the public. They also visited the Communicable Diseases Hospital at Tondiarpet and checked the isolation wards for COVID-19 patients.