Arunachal not to face shortage of oxygen supplies: CM Pema Khandu

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday said that the State will not face any shortage of oxygen supplies needed for COVID patients.

The CM made this assertion while attending a virtual meeting of the State BJP members to review the COVID-19 situation and to assess the preparedness level.

He futher informed the gathering that eight oxygen-generating plants have been installed at different locations in the State while 11 others are in the pipeline.

The Chief Minister also said that the government had utilized the first wave of pandemic to strengthen the Health infrastructure across the State and now the State is well prepared to meet challenges of the second wave.

Khandu also informed that virtual meetings have been conducted so far with the MLAs, newly elected municipal corporators and councillors, panchayat leaders including head of the districts to devise strategies to tackle the spread of the second wave of the pandemic.

SoPs (Standard Operating Procedures) have been already issued for all the 15 inter-State entry points to Arunachal, he said, adding that the SOPs mandate the visitors to go through RT-PCR and TrueNet tests that have validity of 72 hours.

He aded that the exemption on entry applies to citizens who have completed two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Stating that following the SoPs is crucial, the Chief Minister requested all the district COVID-management cells of the BJP to conduct surprise checks on the entry gates and ensure that the protocols are followed.

He further said to tackle spread of COVID-19, emphasis is being given for maximum coverage of vaccines at free of cost.

Khandu added that 343 vaccination centres have been identified and activated across the State; and, till date more than 2.18 lakh of people including frontline workers and persons -- above the age of 45 -- have been vaccinated.

The Chief Minister requested the people to stay indoors as much as possible and to venture out only if it is highly necessary to prevent oneself from getting infected. He also requested all to wear face masks, maintain proper distancing, wash hands regularly and also to avoid large gatherings.

Among those who attended the virtual meeting were State BJP in charge DilipSaikia, NE State BJP general secretary Ajay Jamwal, BJP State president BiyuramWahge, MP Tapir Gao, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Ministers, BJP MLAs and party members, stated an official communiqué here.

Also Read: Arunachal is Fully Prepared to Tackle Second Wave of COVID-19: CM Khandu

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