Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday announced that shops selling essential items would stay open only between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. from Sunday.
He said that all markets should strictly follow the prescribed physical distancing norms and advised against any type of religious congregation.
In an official release, Mr. Palaniswami said that the State government held consultations with Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jain and Sikh religious leaders in various districts. At the State-level, the meeting was chaired by the Chief Secretary to underline the importance of physical distancingand isolation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
Taking cognisance of how Muslims were being blamed for the spread of COVID-19, the CM underlined that the virus did not discriminate between people on the basis of religion or caste and advised against looking at the problem through the prism of religion. “Infectious diseases such as these can affect anyone. People are advised to treat COVID-19 patients and their families with kindness and love,” said Mr. Palaniswami.
The community leaders should co-operate in ensuring that COVID-19 patients or those who had come in contact with them are isolated in their homes or in government-identified centres under the supervision of the government, he added.
Private hospitals
Mr. Palaniswami said that he had instructed district collectors to ensure the reopening of private hospitals. “Private hospitals have been advised to treat COVID-19 patients without discrimination and utmost care. They will also make vehicles available to bring patients,” he said, adding that select private hospitals had been identified to treat COVID-19 patients.
The notified private hospitals for COVID-19 treatment would be allowed to take in patients who wished to get treated in private facilities. He further said that those who tested negative should be immediately sent home or to isolation facilities.
The Chief Minister also announced that COVID-19 patients and families who may be suffering mental health issues due to self-isolation would be given access to psychologists via mobile applications. “The daily needs of isolated families will be taken care of by the State government and essentials will be delivered to their homes,” he said.
Also, isolation wards could be created in schools and colleges owned and run by religious community leaders. He said that NGO workers had been recruited to assist in providing essential products to senior citizens.
