Crowding at tourist hubs: MHA warns states, says second wave not over | India News
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NEW DELHI: Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla chaired a meeting on Saturday to review the steps taken by state governments to check the spread of Covid-19 in hill stations and tourist locations.
During the meeting, the Union home secretary sounded a note of caution citing media reports showing crowded tourist spots with people flouting Covid-19 protocols.
“The overall management of Covid-19 situation and the vaccination status in respect of the States of Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal was discussed during the meeting,” ministry of home affairs said in a statement.
“He emphasised that the second wave of Covid was not yet over; and states should ensure strict adherence to the protocols prescribed in respect of wearing of masks, social distancing and other safe behaviour,” it added.
MHA noted that while the overall case positivity rate may be declining, the case positivity rate in certain districts of Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh is over 10% adding that it was a cause for concern.
States were also asked to follow the five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and Covid appropriate behaviour.
The Union health ministry on Friday stressed that Covid-19 is far from over and that people thronging tourist hotspots without following Covid-appropriate behaviour is a “serious cause for concern”.
NITI Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul said visuals from tourist spots and the way people are mingling without following Covid protocols is “a serious cause of concern” and that such negligence will increase the risk of virus spread.
During the meeting, the Union home secretary sounded a note of caution citing media reports showing crowded tourist spots with people flouting Covid-19 protocols.
“The overall management of Covid-19 situation and the vaccination status in respect of the States of Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal was discussed during the meeting,” ministry of home affairs said in a statement.
“He emphasised that the second wave of Covid was not yet over; and states should ensure strict adherence to the protocols prescribed in respect of wearing of masks, social distancing and other safe behaviour,” it added.
MHA noted that while the overall case positivity rate may be declining, the case positivity rate in certain districts of Rajasthan, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh is over 10% adding that it was a cause for concern.
States were also asked to follow the five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and Covid appropriate behaviour.
The Union health ministry on Friday stressed that Covid-19 is far from over and that people thronging tourist hotspots without following Covid-appropriate behaviour is a “serious cause for concern”.
NITI Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul said visuals from tourist spots and the way people are mingling without following Covid protocols is “a serious cause of concern” and that such negligence will increase the risk of virus spread.
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