'Blatant Violation' Of Covid Norms In Hill Stations, Markets: Centre Asks States To Take Action

MHA warned that Covid-appropriate behaviour is not being adhered to in public transport and massive crowds are thronging marketplaces, violating social distancing norms

A crowded market after ease in COVID-induced lockdown restrictions in Solapur. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Issuing advisory to the states and Union Territories over “blatant violation” of Covid norms, the Union Home Ministry on Wednesday emphasized that the second wave is not over yet and said there is a need to “guard ourselves against complacency and laxity, which creep in as positivity declines”.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of the states and Union Territories in this regard.

Bhalla urged them to issue strict directions to the district and other local authorities to regulate the crowded places and take necessary measures for Covid management.

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“If the norms of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour are not maintained at any establishment/premises/markets etc, such places shall be liable for the re-imposition of restrictions, for containing the spread of Covid-19 and the defaulters shall also be liable for action under the relevant laws,” the advisory said.

Pointing out that blatant violation of Covid norms have been observed in several parts of the country, especially in public transport and at hill stations, the advisory said: “Massive crowds are also thronging the market places, violating the norms of social distancing.”

The advisory further said: “We ought to remember that while the reach of vaccination is increasing considerably, there is no room for complacency and hence Covid appropriate behaviour must continue in line with our philosophy of ‘dawai bhi kadai bhi’.”

“Testing needs to be continued with the same vigor, as adequate testing is extremely essential in terms of checking the virus and early identification of cases,” the advisory added.

The Home Secretary also pointed out that the increase in R-Factor (reproduction number which indicates the speed at which infection is spreading) in some of the states is a matter of concern.

“You may be aware that any increase in ‘R’ factor above 1.0 is an indicator of spread of Covid-19. Therefore, it is important that the authorities concerned shall be made responsible for ensuring Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) in all crowded places,” the advisory said.