The health and family welfare department on Saturday directed district magistrates and chief medical officers across the state to hire accommodation and arrange food on an urgent basis for healthcare personnel and health administrators engaged in Covid care duties.

The decision has been taken in the wake of the extended containment measures announced recently by the state government that suspended public transport services and restricted traffic movement.

In an order issued by the director of national health mission, the district magistrates and the chief medical officers of health have been directed to rent accommodation only where no government facilities like guest houses, hostels or bungalows are available.

“We were approached to approve hiring private accommodation by district administrations and organisations because many healthcare personnel are finding it tough to attend duties over suspension of public transport in the current scenario. So considering the importance of their service, it has been decided to arrange accommodation on hire as well as food for them,” an official of the NHM wing said.

A senior official also claimed that the ensuing threat of cyclone Yaas and the apprehended damage which may turn the entire situation more critical amid the pandemic, basically prompted them to ensure the accommodation of the health care personnel on an urgent basis.

The authorities, however, have put a cap on expenses on hiring of such accommodation and food as well.

While the residential healthcare personnel like doctors have been made eligible to incur a maximum of Rs 500 for accommodation and Rs 200 for food per day, the non-residential personnel are allowed to incur Rs 100 for every eight hours shifts.

State president of All Bengal Paramedic and Medical Technologists Association Manoj Chakraborty has welcomed the decision, but raised questions terming the money meagre and unrealistic amid the pandemic.

“The granted amounts are unrealistic considering the poor availability of many essential items and infrastructure amid the pandemic restrictions and the apprehended natural calamity (Yaas),” he said.