Besides, the government, on the directions of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, instructed Collectors “to monitor patients, who have been admitted in private hospitals with breathing difficulties.” The private hospitals must intimate the patient details to the Health Department. Under the Disaster Management Act, the State government sought formation of crisis management committees, which will be headed by the respective Collectors. Representatives from chambers of commerce, private hospitals, pharmacies, agriculture, veterinary and fisheries departments will be part of the committees. Cooperative societies have been instructed to ensure supply of essential commodities so as to ensure social distancing. “Collectors have been instructed to ensure people follow personal distancing in vegetable markets, fish and meat shops,” the government added.

Source: The Hindu March 29, 2020 18:11 UTC