Govt Writes To Corporates To Convert Their Vacant Office Buildings Into COVID Care Facilities And Makeshift Hospitals

In a bid to strengthen the nation's capacity to fight against the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the government has appealed to the heads of the top 1,000 corporates (by market capitalisation) to consider converting their vacant office buildings into temporary COVID-19 case facilities, reports Economic Times.

While acknowledging and appreciating the support of the corporates in the national effort against COVID-19, Corporate Affairs Secretary Rajesh Verma in his letter to the heads of the country's top 1,000 corporates said that the second wave requires more coordination and focused approach so as to provide immediate relief to the people.

Verma emphasised that in view of the ongoing work from home mode of working, companies might have some vacant office buildings at their disposal.

He added, "You may like to consider converting these vacant office buildings into temporary COVID care facilities with either isolation beds or in the combination of isolation and oxygen beds to cater to the rapidly rising COVID caseload in many parts of the country, some of which may lie in your vicinity."

Verma also informed that spending incurred by the corporates towards setting COVID care facilities and makeshift hospitals will be considered as CSR activities.