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HT Dialogues: Haryana lockdown exit plan almost ready, says top official
HT Dialogues: The speakers included Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary to the Haryana chief minister, and Varinder Singh Kundu, Additional Chief Secretary of Haryana and CEO, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended the three-week nationwide lockdown till May 3. It is in this backdrop that Hindustan Times brings you HT Dialogues: Gurugram Covid Response.
The event has top officials of Haryana government and Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority deliberating and answering questions as to how the administration went about checking the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus disease.
The speakers included Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary to the Haryana chief minister, and Varinder Singh Kundu, Additional Chief Secretary of Haryana and CEO, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority.
On April 10, the Haryana government made wearing of masks compulsory for all who are out in public spaces even if they are inside their vehicles.
The order also said that any person or officer will attend any meeting or go to the workplace wearing the facemasks and any violation of the order will attract punishment under the IPC.
Here are the top points:
*We are the only district to have 7 private testing labs. Since the SC order has been amended, we can expect more testing in the coming days: Varinder Singh Kundu, additional chief secretary of Haryana, CEO, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority.
Kundu pointed out that the testing percentage in Gurugram has been one of the highest in Haryana. “We have tested 1,884 cases till now. We happen to be the only district which has seven private testing facilities. Since the Supreme Court has amended its order, we can expect more testing in the coming days.”
*Exit plan for lockdown is almost ready in Haryana, said Kundu.
*District boundaries have been sealed for containment of Covid-19. Passes have been issued, said Kundu.
*Rajesh Khullar, the Principal Secretary to the Haryana chief minister, said these are very uncertain times, but that the government is on top of things in terms of containment. It has, the officer added, kept the supply chains running making sure nobody sleeps hungry in the night.
*“Tomorrow the government will come out with a plan on easing relaxation. Gurugram is likely to end up in the red zone, so relaxations are not expected. We have 16 active patients so far so we are likely to end in orange zone. Gurugram may not see relaxations for a week, even for a week after that,” said Khullar.
*Looking at Haryana’s numbers, we can say we are lucky. Our death rate is at 5 per cent, said Khullar.
*From government, the instruction is very clear that one is not supposed to leave one’s house, unless it is an essential activity or a medical emergency. The parks inside RWAs are not as monitored as villages and the clusters of low-paid workers. RWAs on their own have come up with set of rules with respect to taking morning-evening walks,” said Varinder Singh Kundu, additional chief secretary, Haryana.
“The way people have come out - irrespective of their status - and have helpd everyone, has been heart-warming experience,” said Kundu. “I am not talking about corporates, individuals have put in their hard work.”
*The blip in economy will be felt by the government as well. That is why the government employees have chipped in by taking a salary cut, said Kundu.
*“We have a set of dos and don’ts for the industries on how to reopen businesses. To bring the workers in, we can facilitate for operating from home or in small batches. We will ensure lockdown is not compromised and social distancing is maintained,” said Kundu.
*“Hope this situation ends fast, children love to play in the field and share their learning. It is a different kind of learning for children and they will value it more. It has kept the children occupied.”: Arti Chopra, Principal, Amity International School.
*“Travel is hit as bad as any business, and will take the longest time to recover. That’s the nature of the travel business. Non-discretionary travel might come back a little earlier, but it looks like a distant thing, you know, to think about people getting on to planes, or trains, or staying in a hotel unless absolutely necessary,” Deep Kalra, founder and executive chairman of online travel compay MakeMyTrip.
*“We are bracing up for the worst. Because of the nature of the beast out there. It is unknown, and no country has been able to tackle it,” added Kalra.
*“There is no other way but to keep on extending lockdown in a smart way. The priority is to survive, to ride this time out and conserve cash as much as possible. We can thrive later,” Kalra said.
