Taxation and other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020
Lok Sabha on September 19, 2020 passes the Taxation and other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Bill, 2020 to replace the Taxation and other Laws (Relaxation of Certain Provisions) Ordinance, 2020, issued on 31.03.2020.
Delhi Disaster Management Authority permits one weekly market per day per zone in NCT Delhi
Delhi Disaster Management Authority permits one weekly market per day per zone in all three Municipal Corporations/New Delhi Municipal’ Council/Delhi Cantonment Board to function w.e.f. 14.09.2020 to 30.09.2020 in NCT of Delhi (except in containment zones)
Punjab government allows chemist shops to open 24X7.
Health-care institutions viz. hospitals, labs, diagnostic centres and chemist shops are allowed to operate on all 7 days of the week throughout the day i.e. will remain open 24X7 hours.
MoHFW issues post-COVID management protocol.
The protocol to be followed by a health care facility includes that the first follow-up visit should be within 7 days after discharge and patients who had undergone home isolation if they complain of persisting symptoms, will visit the nearest health facility.
The Central Government issues an Advisory on the welfare of Returning Migrant Workers
The Governments of Origin and destination States have been advised to enrol migrant workers in social security/ welfare schemes of the State Government/Central Government. The State Governments are also urged to ensure screening and testing of migrant workers in a manner that does not financially burden them. The States of Origin have been advised to provide face masks, sanitizer and soaps to the migrant workers at the time of screening before their departure to the Destination State. Further, a proper database of migrant workers must be maintained for identification and protection of the workers. The State of Origin should collect the data in respect of migrant workers and share it with Destination States.
The government of Punjab allows private hospitals/clinics to conduct rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 after empanelment.
It has been clarified that all rapid antigen test results are entered into the ICMR portal using the login ID credentials provided by the health department.
ICMR issues an Advisory on Strategy for COVID-19 Testing in India
The advisory caters to screening of COVID-19 in three settings: in containment zones or points of entry, in non-containment areas and in hospitals. It stipulates the choice of test (Rapid Antigen Testing or RT-PCR/ TrueNat/ CBNAAT) in the order of priority in each setting. For example, in containment zones and points of entry, the order is RAT first and then RT-PCR/ TrueNat/ CBNAAT. The advisory also lists the different cases where there must be mandatory testing in each of the settings.
Ministry of Home Affairs issues unlock-4 guidelines.
As per the guidelines there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods and no separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.
The Government of Tamil Nadu extends lockdown till 30th September.
Under the new guidelines, Industries, government offices, and banks are allowed to function with 100% of staff unlike earlier when the cap was set at 50%.
MoHFW issues Clinical Guidance on Diabetes Management at COVID-19 Patient Management Facility
The Guidance Note at the very outset states that every patient, at the time of admission, must be screened for hyperglycemia by a glucometer, with at least two capillary blood glucose values. Secondly, every patient with diabetes must be started on diabetic diet which must be strictly adhered to in terms of quantity and timing. Furthermore the Guidance Notes deals in detail with the management of diabetic treatment, including directions concerning use of Oral Antihyperglycemic Drugs, initiation of Basal-bolus insulin regimen, use of intravenous insulin infusion, among others.
