Seal borders, make timely payments to labourers: Centre asks states to implement lockdown measures
The Government of India on Sunday directed all states to enforce strict implementation on the 21-day nation-wide lockdown amid coronavirus outbreak. The Cabinet secretary and the MHA are in constant touch with the State Chief Secretaries and the DGPs to make sure the lockdown is followed strictly. The Centre said that the states have to to ensure timely payment of wages to labourers at their place of work during period of lockdown without any cut. "House rent should not be demanded for this period. Action should be taken against those who are asking labourers or students to vacate the premises." it said. The Centre also said that adequate arrangements for food and shelter of poor and needy people including migrant laborers be made at the place of their work. Centre issued orders for use of SDRF funds for this purpose.
Here is what the Center had directed to the states on coronavirus lockdown
- Three weeks (21 days) of strict enforcement is essential to contain spread of coronavirus in the interest of everyone. Detailed instructions on monitoring of such persons during quarantine issued to States.
- Those who have violated the lockdown and traveled during the period of lockdown will be subject to minimum 14 days of quarantine in government quarantine facilities.
- States have been also told to ensure timely payment of wages to labourers at their place of work during the period of lockdown without any cut.
- House Rent should not be demanded from the labourers for this period. Action should be taken against those who are asking labourers or students to vacate the premises.
- It has been advised that adequate arrangements for food and shelter of poor and needy people including migrant laborers be made at the place of their work. Centre had yesterday issued orders for use of SDRF funds for this purpose.
- Directions were issued that district and state borders should be effectively sealed.
- States were directed to ensure there is no movement of people across cities or on highways. Only movement of goods should be allowed.
- Situation is being monitored round the clock and necessary measures are being taken as required
Meanwhile, India's coronavirus total count rose to 979, and the death toll jumped to 25 on Sunday morning. According to the health ministry, out of total 979 cases, 867 are active COVID-19 cases, while 86 people are either cured/discharged and one had migrated. On Saturday, India registered 179 fresh COVID-19 cases, highest in a single day.
The ministry reported six fresh deaths -- one each from Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Telangana. Thus, deaths have so far been reported from Maharashtra (6), Gujarat (4), Karnataka (3), Madhya Pradesh (2), Delhi (2) and one each from Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Punjab, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
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