Intensify testing for coronavirus, address livelihood issues on priority: Tarigami

Jammu and Kashmir CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami urged the government on Monday to intensify coronavirus testing and address livelihood issues on priority as he called for extending the lockdown.

The government must increase testing, equip our health workers and address livelihood issues seriously, he said.

"The spread has to be contained through identifying, isolating and sealing areas. A phased exit from the lockdown will help mitigate the economic, famine and law and order issues that may emerge from a prolonged lockdown," Tarigami said.

The Centre should allocate more money to the states and more personal protection kits to healthcare professionals. Healthcare workers involved directly in treatment and management of COVID-19 patients should be provided PPEs as per the directions issued by Supreme Court on April 8, he added.

As the government has issued an advisory making the use of masks mandatory, it should also ensure these are available to the common people, Tarigami said.

All frontline workers working tirelessly round the clock in these tough circumstances should be considered for additional incentives and the government should also ensure availability of more ventilators for critical patients, the CPI(M) leader said.