Cantonments in Punjab, Haryana, HP ready to battle Covid-19’

Armed forces in the region are working in coordination with civil authorities to contain the outbreak of coronavirus, confirmed the public relations officer of defence

Armed forces in the region are working in coordination with civil authorities to contain the outbreak of coronavirus, confirmed the public relations officer of defence sector, Chandigarh.

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He said a 20-bed isolation centre is being set up at Cantonment Board School, Dalhousie (Himachal Pradesh), while cantonment board, Ferozepur (Punjab), has set up an 18-bed quarantine ward at the board’s hospital in association with the local civil hospital. In Bakloh (also in HP), a two-bed isolation centre is being established apart from a two-bed hospital, while in Amritsar, a two-bed quarantine centre is ready at the cantonment board dispensary.

Ambala cantonment board is also prepared to battle the prevailing situation with a quarantine centre on the premises of Vatsalya school. In Kasauli, a special ward is reserved in the cantonment hospital as quarantine facility.

EATERIES CLOSED, SPRAY OF DISINFECTANTS UNDERWAY

The cantonment boards of Ambala, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Jutogh, Dalhousie, Subathu, Bakloh, Kasauli and Khasyol have issued directions to close down eateries, shops (except those selling essential items) and parks. Officials of the board are also spraying disinfectants to eliminate the Covid-19 virus.

“Entry to the office premises has been restricted, masks and sanitisers have been distributed among the staff, awareness campaigns are being conducted by distributing pamphlets containing guidelines and announcements are being made among locals,” the official said.

AWARENESS DRIVES BEING HELD

At some places, protection gear have also been distributed among poor and needy people and instructions have also issued under the Cantonments Act to sensitise religious institutions to avoid gathering devotees. “Meanwhile, grocery items and other essentials are being supplied at people’s doorsteps. The cantonment boards are working with the local civil administration to ensure lockdown and report violations in their respective areas,” the PRO said.