After facing criticism for the order banning use of mobile phone by COVID-19 patients inside isolation wards, the Uttar Pradesh government withdrew its order saying that patients can keep mobile phone but they would have to disinfect it regularly.
“The mobile phone and its charger will be disinfected when the patient enters the isolation ward and every time he/she comes out of the ward or enters it. Besides, the patient will not be allowed to give the mobile phone to any other person,” Additional Chief Secretary Awanish Awasthi said here on Sunday.
He said the government was concerned about the well-being of the COVID-19 patients and hence such a decision was taken.
On Saturday night, Director General of Medical Education KK. Gupta had issued an order,  directing that patients admitted to dedicated Level-2 and Level-3 Covid hospitals would no more be allowed to take mobile phones in the isolation wards. He said this order was issued to check the spread of coronavirus infection.
According to an order issued by the state government late Saturday night, two mobile phones will now be available with the ward in-charge of Covid care hospitals so that patients may talk to their family members and administration if required. 
“To facilitate the communication between COVID-19 patients admitted to clinics with their family members, or anyone else, ensure that two dedicated mobile phones are kept with ward in-charge of Covid care centre,” the order said.
But the ban order was opposed and opposition political parties took a jibe at the government.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav questioned if mobile phone was spreading coronavirus infection why it had not been banned in the entire country.
Yadav said that the decision seemed to be an effort to hide the real facts. “Sanitise the mobiles and not ban them,” he said.