The Goa government on Saturday announced a ban on the export of oxygen cylinders due to the increasing Covid-19 cases in the state, and ordered that the stock of the life-saving gas meant for industrial use be diverted to health services in Goa.
State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane , who holds the industries portfolio, issued the orders. "In view of the rising coronavirus cases in Goa, the requirement for oxygen has gone up. The export of oxygen cylinders has therefore been banned with immediate effect," the minister said.
Rane further elaborated that all industrial oxygen requirements will be diverted towards the health services, including the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and other designated Covid-19 hospitals.
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"Necessary directions have been issued to the health secretary to coordinate with the respective collectors to issue an order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 in public interest and to save people's lives," he said.
Rane also said the state government has roped in private firms to handle the supply of food to Covid-19 hospitals and treatment centres. "In our continued efforts to provide quality care to Covid-19 patients, we are once again roping in all agencies viz, patient handling, facility management, Sodexo for dietary and nutrition requirements, and specialised services for patients," he said.
Goa on Friday recorded 927 Covid-19 cases that took the tally of infections to 65,499, which includes 868 casualties. The coastal state currently has 6,321 active cases.
