Collectors can't impose lockdown with permission: Madhya Pradesh CM

Bhopal: Chief minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said on Friday that in the second phase of "Kill Corona" campaign, “Sankalp ki chain jodo, Corona ki chain todo” campaign will be launched in the state from August 1 to 14. He also directed that there will be no more lockdowns and if any such need arises in any part of the state collectors cannot decide on their own and will have to take permission.

Chouhan was reviewing the Coronavirus situation in the state through video conferencing from Chirayu Hospital.

He said this is mainly an awareness campaign under which people will be made aware to wear masks and adhering to physical distancing compulsorily and through this the infection of Coronavirus will be eliminated.

To curb death rate in Hamidia hospital, chief minister instructed to set up an experts’ committee to improve arrangements in the hospital. The committee will comprise principal secretary Sanjay Shukla, Faiz Ahmed Qidwai and others along with medical experts and senior officers.

Chouhan said, "we have to accelerate the pace of our economy. Therefore, from now on there will be no lockdown in any district of the state, other than the pre-announced one and Sunday lockdown. If need for lockdown arises in any district due to unavoidable reasons, permission will have to be sought from the state level. No collector will be able to impose lockdown in district on his/her own free

During a review of Indore district, chief minister lauded the work done in the district to prevent Coronavirus infection and to reduce the mortality rate. Collector Indore gave detailed information about the action taken in this regard. Lauding the daily review meetings by the Indore divisional commissioner with dean medical college pertaining to death cases, chief minister directed that this system should be implemented in other divisions as well.

Chouhan informed that home and institutional quarantine is being provided in the state to prevent Corona infection. Now, arrangement for paid quarantine has been made for those who can afford it

Additional chief secretary, ICP Kesari informed that quarantine facility has been arranged in Bhopal, Rewa, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh tourism hotels. A fare of Rs 1500 per day including food charges in Rajbhogi cities and Rs 1000 per day in other cities will have to be paid. In Bhopal, this arrangement has been made in hotel Ashoka.

Chouhan said that rapid antigen tests have been started in Bhopal. He directed that this test should be started immediately in Indore and other districts.

ACS, health, informed that now Madhya Pradesh ranks 15th in the country in both active and positive cases. According to the July 30 report, Madhya Pradesh has 8454 active cases. Testing in the state is continuously increasing and on Thursday, 14,647 samples were tested in the state, he said.

In a district-wise review of Morena and Ujjain districts, it was found that the situation in both the districts is constantly improving. There are six new cases of Corona in Morena and 8 in Ujjain. The Chief Minister directed to pay special attention to Khargone due to rise in Coronavirus cases.

During a review, it was found that there was negligence in contact tracing in Barwani district. Taking this matter seriously, the chief minister instructed to investigate and punish the guilty.

Health minister, Prabhuram Chaudhary, said during video conferencing from Raisen that there has been good work in telemedicine in Sagar district. Punitive action has also been taken for not wearing face mask there. Collector Rajgarh said that so far, a fine of about Rs 22,000 has been imposed for not wearing masks there. Chouhan directed to take similar action in other districts.