Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has granted permission for home isolation. Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department has formally issued a notification on the recommendations of Corona Expert Advisory Group and Technical Working Group.
Usman Buzdar while granting permission for home isolation said that SOPs outlined by WHO have been taken into consideration for home isolation and patients carrying only minor symptoms can be kept at home isolation.
The patient will be kept in equipped building under the supervision of concerned district health authority with essential facilities, he added. CM further informed that the patient can be kept in equipped buildings with necessary facilities of hotels, school buildings, mosques, hostels and community centres. He directed that the building in which the patient will be kept in home isolation will be disinfected on daily basis and solid wastes will be disposed of according to the given guidelines. Usman Buzdar maintained that home isolation will not be taken into effect where there is danger of spreading virus due to cooling and heating system and isolation patients will be provided food in only disposable utensils.
The CM highlighted that home isolation committee nominated by Deputy Commissioner will decide about home isolation and Assistant Commissioner or his representative, DDO Health, Chief Officer will also be included in home isolation committee. He directed that staff members of Population Welfare, Livestock, Excise & Taxation Departments will conduct monitoring and reporting of home isolation. He intimated that three committees will be constituted in every urban union council and a doctor will be included in every committee.
The CM underscored that a committee will be constituted in every rural union council and presence of a doctor will be mandatory in the committee. The committee will also review scope of keeping more than one patient according to the total number of family members, he stated. He underscored that concerned family will be informed about SOPs and procedure before granting permission for home isolation. He stressed that patient kept in home isolation will be bound to inform about his condition on daily basis.
Usman Buzdar emphasized that it will be mandatory for every home isolation patient to ensure implementation on the directions of Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department and restriction of testing protocol will also be compulsory for the patient being kept in home isolation.
The CM further emphasized that the duration of home isolation will consist of 10 days and two negative corona tests of the patient will be necessary in order to end home isolation. In case of surfacing second corona test positive, new test will be conducted after five days on ending home isolation. In case of non-availability of corona test, the patient will have to remain in isolation for two more weeks despite carrying no symptom of coronavirus. CM also issued directions to Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department to undertake necessary steps for ensuring implementation on SOPs with regard to home isolation.
Meanwhile, Usman Buzdar has directed to ensure strict implementation on SOPs relating to easing lockdown. CM directed administrative departments to strictly monitor lockdown SOPs and warned that taking undue advantage with regard to ease in lockdown will not be permitted. Usman Buzdar underscored that PTI government allowed ease in lockdown by taking into account economic difficulties of common man. He emphasized that dangers of corona still persist and everyone will have to show responsibility and care.
Usman Buzdar apprised that Punjab government has taken new steps after holding detailed consultations. CM expressed his hope that trader community and masses will strictly implement on the SOPs in order to save themselves from coronavirus. He warned that strict action will be taken against those business organizations and industrial units for not ensuring full implementation on SOPs and permission of those institutions violating the SOPs will be cancelled. He disclosed that government is fully committed to take up essential measures for providing relief to the masses along with their treatment. CM emphasized that solid measures have been taken for the eradication of corona virus across the province.
