Chief Secretary takes stock of measures to combat COVID-19 in A&N Islands: General public advised to refrain from making non essential trips outside their residences

Port Blair, Mar 19: A high level meeting was chaired by the Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Shri Chetan B. Sanghi today to take stock of measures taken so far by the UT Administration in combating the threat of the Novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID – 19). The meeting was attended by the Director General of Police, Principal Secretary (Finance/Disaster Management), Commissioner-cum-Secretary (PWD/CA), Secretary (Civil Supplies), Secretary (GA), Secretary (Law), Deputy Commissioner (South Andaman) and other officials.

1. In view of the evolving situation with respect to the threat posed by COVID-19, it was decided that Prohibitory Orders can be considered by the District Magistrate with effect from the midnight of 19.3.2020 for a week or so. However, chemist and pharmacy shops, grocery/kirana shops, milk shops/bakeries, vegetable/ fruit/meat shops and fuel stations of ANIIDCO can be allowed.
2. It was also decided that in order to minimise the threat posed by epidemic, work from home dispensation shall be permitted for all employees of the A&N Administration except the operational staff of Departments rendering essential services viz. Health, Police, Transport, Civil Supplies, Electricity, Sanitation, Water Supply, Civil Aviation, Fire Services, Shipping, PMB and Disaster Management from 20th March, 2020 till 26th March, 2020. The officials working from home shall not leave the station and may be available on mobile/landline for any exigency.
3. Further, it was decided that movement through Heli/Dornier to various islands also need to be restricted and a specific order has been issued separately by this Administration in this regard. It has also been directed that compulsorily medical screening/medical examination of all the passengers need to be done by the Doctor at Helipad/Airstrip for Helicopter and Dornier operated for civil passengers. Orders for restrictive movement by ships for Inter island movement have also been issued on the similar lines.
4. It has also been decided to impose a ban on sale of MS (Petrol) and HSD (Diesel) to the General Public with effect from the midnight of 19.03.2020 till the midnight of 26.03.2020. It has been further directed that during this period, POL shall only be issued to the ANIIDCO outlets. For Car Nicobar district, POL will be issued by EHL outlets. ANIIDCO will issue POL to Govt. vehicles (UT/Central/PSU) for performing essential services. For private vehicles engaged in Govt. duty/performing essential services, fuel shall be issued only on production of a special permit to be obtained from the office of concerned Deputy Commissioner.
5. Further, it has been decided that services of all Private Express buses, services of local ordinary buses operated by private operators and services of all taxis, jeeps, contract carriages, tourist vehicles & auto rickshaws shall remain suspended from the midnight of 19.03.2020 till the midnight of 26.03.2020. However, for the convenience of the general public and for facilitating emergency travel requirements, the local as well as Express buses of the Transport Department will continue to ply with a restricted capacity not exceeding 50% of the registered seating capacity of the vehicle, so as to maintain social distancing between the passengers, as stipulated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
6. General public has been advised to refrain from making non-essential travel and trips outside their residence, except for essential/emergency needs.