Andhra Govt takes over control of 31 private hospitals, declares them quarantine centers
By Newsmeter Network Published on 30 March 2020 11:42 AM GMT
Nellore: Invoking special powers, the district administration took over the control of 31 private and corporate hospitals for treating coronavirus cases in Nellore.
District Collector MV Seshagiri Babu issued a special gazette notification on Sunday to take over the premises of 31 hospitals for converting them into Covid-19 facility.
In fact, Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department had issued directions on Sunday empowering the District Collectors to take over private hospitals in the State under the provisions of Disaster Management Act 2005 and AP Covid Regulations 2020.
Collector issued notification taking over the control of 31 hospitals in Nellore, Kavali, Gudur, and Venkatagiri areas. Around 3,283 beds will now be available in the entire district for accommodating the suspect cases. 3,000 beds alone are from Nellore city.
The State Government invoked Section 2 of Epidemic Act 1897 and declared these hospitals as Temporary Quarantine Facility Centers. Any violation would be viewed seriously as per provisions under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. The directions came into force immediately, the gazette notification said
