Bhubaneswar: Odisha government today urged people not to resort to panic buying of masks as a protection against Coronavirus infection and announced that masks will be provided by the Health department if anyone has cough and cold and is required to wear a mask.
“If anyone is found coughing, sneezing and is required to use a mask it will be provided by the Health Department,” announced Principal Secretary Health & Family Welfare Nikunja Bihari Dhal here today.
The Principal Secretary told newsmen that there is absolutely no need for a healthy person to use a mask and there is no need to buy one and stock it at home.
“I want to tell the people through you that there is no need to use a sanitizer. If one uses soap to clean his/her hands with soap properly that is more than enough,” Dhal pointed out.
He added that the same was also advised by the Union Health Minister during the video conferencing the latter had with health officials of States on Coronavirus preparedness.
Dhal revealed that while the Union Health Minister advised not to panic over the Coronavirus situation he suggested for involving all departments like School & Mass Education, Women & Child Development, etc.
He added that the same has been taken care of in Odisha.
Dhal informed that all samples that were sent from Odisha have tested negative for COVID19.
He said that testing of samples for Coronavirus will soon start at the RMRC here, he, however, added that calibration of the equipment will take some time.
