LOCKDOWN: Here we go again!

The health department has estimated that active cases will surge to 10,32,666 by May 2, from the present 6,83,856. This will exhaust the medical facilities and it will be quite a task to cope with the situation. More importantly, the cabinet was perturbed over the people’s indifference and reluctance to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour despite tightening of restrictions from April 14. Therefore, the cabinet arrived at a decision to impose a strict lockdown for at least 15 days and the decision may be extended, depending on the situation.” He said the government proposed to ban the movement of people and vehicles, which, it feels, is leading to spurt in infections. “All the cabinet ministers were in favour of a strict lockdown to minimise the spread of Covid-19. Ministers come from all corners of the state, so it also indicates that the entire state needs this measure,” said Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope. “We have requested the CM to announce a complete lockdown in the state from tomorrow at 8pm. This was the request of all ministers to CM, now it is his decision,” said Tope. “Tomorrow, the CM will announce the decision on lockdown in the state,” he added. Another minister said School Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad has already announced the cancellation of the state board exam for Class 10. Earlier, the state government had issued orders curtailing the timings of grocery shops, vegetable and fruit vendors, dairies, confectionery shops and all type of food shops (including chicken, mutton, poultry, fish and eggs), shops related to agricultural implements and farm produce, pet food shops, shops related materials for impending rainy season for individuals and for organisations to just four hours, from 7am-11am. However, home delivery from these shops has been allowed between 7 am and 8 pm. These timings will be changed by the local authority. The Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association said the government’s decision would create more chaos and crowding during morning hours. It would be harder for local authorities to control crowds. However, with the proposed lockdown, the government may further tweak the timings in its order.

BYE-BYE TENDERS

A senior minister told The Free Press Journal, “The cabinet expressed concern over the increasing shortage of medicines, oxygen and health infrastructure even as the number of Covid-19 patients are rising. The tender process was taking a long time in the procurement of medical equipment needed urgently. The ministers were unanimous that it should be done away with, in a bid to speed up the procurement process. The cabinethas, therefore decided to take away the procurement process from the Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation. A committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been delegated all powers to procure medical equipment including ventilators, oxygen and medicines directly from the market at competitive rates, without tendering process. The cabinet has assured that necessary funds will be made available for procurement.” He said the cabinet was unanimous that all ministers would defend the decision and collectively appear before the court in the event the move was challenged.

“Early procurement is needed as the state is managing 1,4001,500MTs of oxygen daily from producers within the state and from Bhilai, Bellar y and Visakhapatanam. Besides, the Centre has decided to run the Oxygen Express. However, the health department has estimated that oxygen demand will cross 2,000MT if the Covid cases continue to rise at the present pace,” said another minister. He noted that hospitals were closing down for want of oxygen and the government wanted to streamline oxygen supply at the earliest. Further, the state government was facing acute shortage of Remdesivir, a crucial drug used for treating Covid patients. “Seven companies have assured us of supplying 70,000 vials daily after three-four days, as they have ramped up production. However, the tendering by Haffkine was taking time. In between, a tender was cancelled on technical grounds. The committee will organise the procurement of Remdesivir and other medicines,” a senior bureaucrat from the health department said. In addition, the chief Secretary-led committee will focus on increasing beds and ventilators and will take a call on early procurement so that the districts can breathe a sigh of relief.