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Public Heath(Covid-19) Rules, 2020
The world is currently facing a pandemic outbreak. We are taking all necessary actions to stop the spread of the Novel Corona Virus. Countries have been amending rules and passing bills to make it more legally functional for both the county and its people. In this process, one of the major fields being amended is the 'Public Heath' rule. The government has released certain guidelines for the disposal of waste taken from corona-virus patients.
The virus SARS-CoV-2 responsible for the Corona Virus bad spread across 190 countries. As of 24th March, India has tested 22,694 samples from 21,804 individuals, according to Indian Council of Medicinal Research.
India already had Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, but India's pollution ontrolling authority, The Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) has released guidelines for handling the treatment and and safe disposal of Biomedical Waste during the treatment of the patients confirmed or suspected to have the virus.
As per the guidelines the safe disposal of biomedical waste should be done in a scientific manner: Isolated patient's waste must be disposed in a double-layered bag to avoid any leakage. Collect and store biomedical waste separately prior to handing over the same to the Common Biomedical Waste treatment Facility. Said guidelines have asked to to maintain a set of separate storage rooms, trolleys, bins, containers and vans for the patients under isolation. It should only be handed over to authorised persons from CBWTF. These separated sets should be disinfected regularly. CPCB has also directed all State Pollution boards to have opening and operation of Covid-19 wards, sample collection centres and laboratories.
According to WHO, Covid-19 is not a airborne disease and hasn't shown any symptoms of being the same. It is usually transmitted through droplets which can be via coughing and sneezing. People maintaining close contact or not maintaining necessary hygiene guidelines (especially respiratory) can get infected. Therefore, further adding to the guidelines it has been asked that people who are suspected and are quarantined or home quarantined to dispose their solid waste in yellow bags- non chlorinated plastic bags and should only be handed over to authorised CBWTF personnel. Along with this, under the guidelines provided by the CBWTF operatorsthey shall ensure regular sanitization of workers involved in handling and collection of biomedical waste and that they should be provided with adequate personal protective equipments including 3 layer masks, splashproof aprons/gowns, nitrile gloves, gumboots and safety goggles. Also, disinfection of vehicles must be done after every round of usage. And, health workers must not show any sign of sickness. Further, general information is to be spread that people should segregate their used napkins, tissues, sanitizers and other waste so that it will be processed by cleaners to be disposed off without getting infected.
Another major field of change is that of law. India is facing overarching health laws, to maintain the spread and to spread awareness among citizens. The Government has passed some healthrules named " The Public Health(Covid- 19) Rules, 2020" staring that any person escaping or any person helping in escape or any person spreading any rumour and creating panic and tension amongst people will be held liable. This rule is enforceable to whole of India, with punishment that is to bring back the escapee to the hospital, 2 months jail sentence for helping in the escape and spreading panic.
The Government of India is doing everything possible for its people. With support, awareness, we can outgrow this virus soon.
