Chandigarh, March 31- Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal said that since the time countrywide lockdown was announced by the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, State Government has taken all necessary preventive measures to protect every section of society including migrant laborers, poor families, farmers, government employees and businessmen and others to protect them against the Novel Corona Virus.

The Chief Minister said this while addressing the people of the State through live television here today. During the address, he informed about the steps taken by the State Government against COVID-19.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that maintaining social distancing and self-quarantine is the only way to break the chain of this epidemic.

The Chief Minister said that following social distancing and staying at their homes, everyone should organize their daily routine in such a disciplined manner that can set an example for the country by making the lockdown successful by April 14, 2020. He said that the people of the State have already done this while staying at their home during the one day ‘Janata curfew’ that was announced on March 22, 2020.

Motivating the people staying at their homes for the last 7 days, during the lockdown period and maintaining social distancing, the Chief Minister said that the people should not feel bad or distressed, rather they should spend this time with their families or they can utilize their time in doing various activities like Yoga, spirituality, etc.

The Chief Minister said to ensure the successful implementation of lockdown several strict steps have been taken to control and stop the movement of people and for this Inter and Intra State borders have been sealed.

He said that the State Government understands the problem of common man very well, so, during the lockdown period, the government has ensured the delivery of all the essential goods and services to the doorstep. For this, the supply chain has been strengthened and an online pass facility has also been arranged so that the movement of those who are engaged in the delivery of essential commodities can be made smooth, he added. He said that helpline numbers- 1075 and 1100 have been issued for the convenience of the people.

He said that a comprehensive medical system for the treatment of the people suffering from COVID-19 has been made in the State. He shared that an arrangement of 6500 beds has been made for quarantine and 4000 beds for isolation in hospitals. Apart from this, separate COVID-19 hospitals are also being set up in the districts so that if there is any serious condition of any kind, they can be treated separately in these hospitals to prevent the disease from spreading further.

He said that so far, two government testing labs have been established and five private labs have been approved in which one has become operational and the rest will start soon. He said that approval has been sought to establish testing labs in Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Hissar, Medical College, Karnal, Nalhar Medical College, PGI Rohtak and Civil hospital in Sector 6, Panchkula.

He further said that adequate arrangements have been made for equipment, medicines, bleaching powder, PPE kits, masks, and sanitizer. “I assure you that we will not face difficulties health-wise and medical wise,” he added.

Many laborers are working away from their home and come from other states. If it is necessary for laborers to leave their present dwelling, 437 relief camps have been set up with a capacity of 70,000. If required, more camps will be set up, he added.

He said that the government, as well as several voluntary institutions, is also engaged in the services of the people. Several NGOs, social organizations, religious institutions and well-settled people in the State have come forward to help the Government in this need of hour. He said that religious institutions have given their buildings to set up ‘Relief Camps’ so that migrant laborers live in these buildings. Apart from this, all these institutions are also dedicatedly serving meals in such camps.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has also created the Haryana Corona Relief Fund, in which people are giving their contributions liberally. He said that the Government is also taking care of the farmers. Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure that the farmers do not face any kind of problem in the movement of tractors and combine for harvesting, he added. Apart from this, the workshops of the tractors and combine will also remain open. He said that all the services necessary for the farmers will continue to run smoothly.