Govt Extends COVID Containment Steps Till Oct 31, Warns States About Mass Gatherings
Mumbai: The Centre has extended the nationwide COVID-19 containment measures till October 31. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla cautioned states and Union Territories about the possibility of COVID-appropriate behaviour not being adhered to strictly during the upcoming festivals which may lead to a surge in cases again.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, in a letter to chief secretaries of all states and union territories, cautioned against the possibility of non-adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour during the upcoming festival, which could lead to a resurgence of cases.
He stressed that despite the decline in COVID-19 cases, it is important to implement guidelines that allow regular festivities to be celebrated in a cautious, safe and COVID-appropriate manner.
He said that there is a steady decline in the daily COVID-19 cases and the total number of COVID-19 patients in the country, but in some states, the virus is still spreading locally and COVID-19 remains a public health challenge in the country. Has happened. . Has happened. Is.
“Extreme vigilance should be exercised with respect to mass gathering programmes, so as to avoid any possibility of an increase in COVID-19 cases.”
“Consequently, large-scale gatherings at fairs, festivals and religious events and gatherings may lead to a fresh rise in COVID-19 cases in the country,” the communication said.
The Home Secretary said that the States and Union Territories should regularly monitor the case positivity, hospital, ICU bed occupancy of each district under their jurisdiction.
“State governments and union territory administrations, keeping high positivity in their districts, should take proactive containment measures so as to effectively arrest the spike in cases and prevent the spread of transmission,” he said.
The Home Secretary said that there should be a constant focus on Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and follow COVID-appropriate behaviour to navigate the festive season safely and avoid the possibility of an increase in COVID-19. matter
He said that State Governments and Union Territory Administrations should continue their vaccination program so that vaccination of eligible age groups can be expedited and the second dose is given priority to eligible beneficiaries.
The Home Secretary urged the Chief Secretaries to issue directions to the district and all other local authorities to take necessary measures for speedy and effective management of COVID-19 by the Union Health Ministry.
“I would also advise that the orders issued in this regard by the respective state governments and union territories or district authorities should be widely disseminated to the public and field officials for their proper implementation,” he said.
The number of fresh coronavirus cases was recorded at below 20,000 (18,795) in India after 201 days on Tuesday, taking the country’s COVID-19 tally to 3,36,97,581, while the number of active cases declined to 2,92,206, the lowest in 192 days, according to the Union health ministry.
A total of 18,795 fresh COVID-19 cases were registered in a span of 24 hours, while the death toll due to the viral disease climbed to 4,47,373 with 179 more fatalities, the lowest in 193 days, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.
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