Chandigarh March 15: As a precautionary measure, the Haryana Government has decided that cinema halls, gyms, swimming polls, theaters, clubs and night clubs will remain closed across the State till March 31, 2020. Apart from this, all schools in the State will also remain closed during this period. However, the examinations in the schools will continue to be held as per the schedule. Also, mass gathering of more than 200 people will remain prohibited in all religious, social, political, cultural, sports and personal and family events in the state.

A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal and Health Minister Mr Anil Vij here today to review the preparedness of Health Department to check the spread of Corona Virus here today.

The Chief Minister directed that 2500 to 3000 beds (minimum 100 in each district) should be identified in the Isolation Wards set up in the Government Hospitals of the State. However, he said, the number of these beds could be increased in cities adjoining Delhi like Gurugram, Rohtak and Jhajjar. At present 1328 beds have been identified in 298 Isolation Wards in Government Hospitals and district wise arrangement of quarantine facility has been made for 3000 persons. Apart from this, sensitization programs would be held in all government and private hospitals in the State to sensitize the doctors as well the staff about the Corona Virus.

The Health Minister said that AYUSH Department would organize 100 camps in the State from Monday onward wherein medicines would be distributed to the people free of cost to enhance the immune system. Decision was also taken in the meeting that sanitizers would be installed in those government offices where people in large number visit for their day to day work. Initially, Haryana Civil Secretariat and Mini Secretariat would be taken up for this work. Apart from this, all the CMOs have been asked to ensure the installation of sanitizers in district offices in consultation with Deputy Commissioners concerned.

It was informed that the adequate arrangements have been made to deal with any eventuality in the wake of spread of Corona Virus in the Country. Personal protection equipment in sufficient numbers are available with the Health Department and these are being further augmented.

It was informed that the Director General Health Services (DGHS) has been asked to convey message to all the private hospitals in the State so that their services can also be utilised in case of any need.

Among those present in the meeting included Chief Secretary Mrs Keshni Anand Arora, Additional Chief Secretary Health and Family Welfare Mr Rajeev Arora, Additional Chief Secretary Revenue and Disaster Management Mr Dhanpat Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Medical Education and Research Mr Alok Nigam, Mission Director, National Health Mission Mr Prabhjot Singh, Health Experts from PGIMER Chandigarh and Rohtak and other senior officers of the Health Department.