Himachal to maintain medical stock to tackle corona

Shimla, April 18 The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet on Saturday decided to maintain stock of medical safety equipment to tackle the coronavirus crisis.

It was decided to keep a minimum stock of 50,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, 10,000 N-95 masks and 10 lakh surgical masks.

It was also decided to procure rapid test kits in adequate numbers for use at hotspots and inter-state borders.

The Cabinet, presided over by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, decided to stop the custom of presenting bouquets, shawls and caps to government functionaries.

It acknowledged timely steps initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cabinet made an appeal to the people to contribute generously towards the PM-CARES fund.

It accorded ex post facto approval to the Himachal Pradesh Epidemic Disease (Covid-19) Regulations of 2020 notified on March 11 and further amended on March 14.

The Cabinet was apprised of regulatory and preventive measures undertaken and instructions issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare to tackle the crisis.

It approved new Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Rules of 2020 by repealing the Himachal Pradesh Fisheries Rules of 1979 for conducting fishery activities smoothly and for proper implementation of developmental policies and schemes for the fishermen.

( With inputs from IANS )