Aafrin Kidwai 
THE Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has urged local authorities to strictly implement guidelines for collection, transportation and disposal of suspected COVID-19 waste and solid waste from quarantined homes and containment areas.
The Indian Express reports that in its directive, the MPCB said, “Under the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016 and amendments thereof, the biomedical waste generated from the hospitals shall be collected and disposed in accordance with the procedure specified, within 48 hours…”
In a letter issued to the state Principal Secretary, MPCB said it has issued the guidelines under Biomedical Waste Management Rules 2016, as amended under the CPCB Guidelines for handling biomedical waste generated during the treatment of COVID-19. The MPCB said it has authorised 30 common biomedical waste treatment facilities to serve healthcare establishments/ hospitals operating in the state. It claims they are collecting biomedical waste from hospitals on a daily basis.
