The latest news on the government’s measures in tackling the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country is from the Prime Minister’s Office. As per the reports, the Prime Minister’s Office has formed a total of 10 groups to resolve emergency situations.
India is on day 5 of the initial 21-day lockdown period in its attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus in what is termed as ‘social distancing.’ The announcement of the lockdown has come with its own shortcomings. The panic buying and the sealing of borders between the states have led to a shortage of essential items in the stores. Simultaneously, there has been a humanitarian crisis of migrant workers.
Post the announcement of the 21-day lockdown, as the work across the country came to a halt, the migrant workers lost the jobs, daily wages, and shelters overnight. As a result, the migrant workers in mass started walking towards home causing scenes of mass exodus. Now, the center has asked the states to stop the exodus.
PMO to take direct control
The Prime Minister’s Office has set up 10 groups that will be equipped to handle the emergencies that have or will arrive as the situation proceeds. The 10 groups are closely monitored by Dr. PK Mishra, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. The meeting of all 10 groups is underway and is heading by PK Mishra. One of the groups is specifically concentrating on the problem of migrant workers. There are other emergencies like the logistics problem in the healthcare department, the lack of essential items at the last mile delivery, etc.
PK Mishra will co-ordinate with all the groups and submit the report to Prime Minister Modi. It is also been reported that the health department is also closely monitored by the Prime Minister’s office.
As of March 27th, 2020, India, the largest democracy in the world where the coronavirus outbreak is on the rise, had tested only 26,798. Out of the tested samples, over 1,050 are confirmed positives whereas 27 have lost their lives battling the COVID-19 disease. With 86 already recovered, there are a total of 937 active cases in the country. Maharashtra is the worst affected state with 193 confirmed cases.
