Center orders to states, there is no obstruction in the movement of health workers in lockdown

Amid the lockdown imposed by the Corona virus, the central government has requested the states to ensure that health workers do not face any kind of hassles in movement. At the same time, there should be no restriction on opening of clinics too.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has objected to the restrictions imposed by some states / Union Territories on the movement of doctors, paramedics and said that they are important for health services. Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written a letter saying that private clinics, nursing homes etc. are not being allowed to open in many places. The operation of all these is quite important. I request all states and union territories to allow all these things.

Ajay Bhalla further wrote, 'I also want to say to all the States / Union Territories that officers should also fully allow nurses, medical professionals, para medical personnel, ambulances etc.'

Significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to discuss the lockdown with the Chief Ministers today. This will be the fifth time since the onset of the Corona crisis that Prime Minister Modi is in discussion with the Chief Ministers. It is believed that in the Monday meeting, further relaxation of restrictions can be discussed under phased removal of lockdown.

Earlier in a meeting on Sunday, the Chief Secretaries of the state, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba had said that there is a need to protect against Covid-19, but economic activities also need to be deliberately stepped up. With thousands of migrant laborers stranded in various states returning to their home states by special trains due to the lockdown, it would prove a challenge for states to resume industrial activities.