Only those who will undergo 14 days quarantine allowed to enter state: AP government

Vijayawada: Unfazed by the protests, the Andhra Pradesh government on Saturday said only those who agree for 14 days quarantine would be allowed to cross the border and enter into the state.

“People who are stopped at interstate borders should be provided with accommodation and food in the camps. Only those who agree for 14 days quarantine should be allowed at the border. The resident officer has been appointed for these camps”, said Health Minister Alla Nani.

Nani was speaking to media after a Group of Ministers review meeting that was chaired by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Group of Ministers include Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas, Botsa Satyanarayana, Buggana Rajendranath Reddy, M Sucharitha, and Kurasala Kannababu.

Andhra Pradesh government has adopted a three-pronged strategy to fight the spread of COVID-19 and provide help to those stranded at different places due to lockdown.

Under the new strategy, the government would strictly implement social isolation, ensure a continuous supply chain of essential commodities and see that agricultural harvesting is done on time and the farmers get Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Of the 428 suspected cases, 13 have been tested positive in the state. Around 378 reports have come back as negative. Around 37 test reports are yet to come.

Health Minister Alla Nani said 29, 115 are under home quarantine while 149 are in hospital isolation. The spread is fast in urban areas as 12 of the 13 positive cases are from cities. So far, 29,264 foreign returnees were identified in AP and 29,115 are under home quarantine and 149 in hospital quarantine.

He said one doctor should be appointed for every 10 foreign returnees and a specialist should be appointed. Moreover, the video conference facility should be available between the doctors and specialists, he said

“Necessary protection suits and tools should be supplied to doctors, volunteers, Asha workers to ensure their safety from coronavirus. The order has been placed to purchase about 1.35 lakh PPEs, 5 lakh N-95 masks, and 400 ventilators,” he added.

The Chief Minister sought details on the second survey results conducted by village volunteers. He instructed the officials to continue the process and every volunteer should record the condition of 50 households.

The minister said those identified in the survey should be referred to doctors and treatment should be provided as per the protocol.

The minister said that the government is taking steps to increase samples testing capacity. With concern to the negative feedback on the blockade of goods vehicles, the Chief Minister ordered DGP to resolve the issue immediately.

The Chief Minister directed the officials to coordinate with collectors in the state borders and make use of marriage halls and hotels to accommodate people after sanitizing.

Minister for Municipal Administration Botsa Satyanarayana asserted that there is no shortage of food and essential goods in the state and the state government would strictly implement the central government’s protocol at the inter-state border.

Chief Minister has ordered officials to concentrate on agriculture, aquaculture, and related sectors and resolve the issues as soon as possible. He instructed the officials to take strict actions to ensure the social distancing.