Low Positivity Rate, Vaccination & Covid-Appropriate Behaviour: ICMR's 3-Point Advisory For Unlocking

ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava noted that 70 per cent vaccination rate for vulnerable population or people over 60 years should be considered before opening up of lockdown rules. 

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New Delhi: Noting that several states have started the process of unlocking in view of declining trend in Covid cases, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Balram Bhargava shared  government's plan to gradually lift thee lockdown. 

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, Bhargava highlighted three important points which must be ensured in order to unlock cities carefully. The official noted that a positivity rate of less than 5 per cent for a week, 70 per cent vaccination rate for vulnerable population or people over 60 years and community-ownership of Covid-appropriate behaviour should be the basic criteria for opening up of lockdown rules. 

"We will not witness a massive surge. However, we have to ensure that vaccination is prioritised. The vaccination rate must be up to 70 per cent and Covid appropriate behaviour should be followed," Bhargava said. 

Further in the conference, Bhargava informed that enough doses to vaccinate 1 crore people per day will be possible by mid-July or August this year. "Our vaccination drive is being ramped up and by December 2021, we hope to have the whole country vaccinated," he said, adding that India is one of the five countries which is producing vaccines and there is no shortage of vaccine in the country. 

His remarks have come at the time when India is beginning to "unlock" — albeit gradually — as fresh Covid cases are slowing down after the devastating second wave of the virus. 

Several states like Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have relaxed lockdown norms while states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Odisha, Telangana, Sikkim, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Goa have extended curfew-like restrictions.