Maintain 'Utmost Vigil' To Avoid Surge: Home Ministry Issues Covid Guidelines Ahead Of Festival Season

Bhalla said there is a possibility that Covid Appropriate Behaviour is not adhered to strictly, especially during the upcoming festivals, with the decline in the Covid-19 cases.

Covid testing in India (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: Ahead of the upcoming festivals, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to the chief secretaries and administrators of all the states and Union Territories to enforce adherence to guidelines, which allow regular festivities in a cautious, safe and Covid appropriate manner.

Bhalla said there is a possibility that Covid Appropriate Behaviour is not adhered to strictly, especially during the upcoming festivals, with the decline in the Covid-19 cases.

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“It is therefore critical to enforce adherence to guidelines which allow regular festivities in a cautious, safe and COVID appropriate manner,” he added.

Bhalla said utmost vigil has to be maintained in respect of mass gathering events so as to avoid any possibility of surge in Covid-19 cases.

“Consequently, large scale gatherings in fairs, festivals and religious events and functions may lead to afresh surge in COVID-19 cases in the country,” he added.

The Home Secretary asked chief secretaries and administrators of all the states and Union Territories to closely monitor on a regular basis the case positivity, hospital and ICU bed occupancy of every district falling under their jurisdiction.

“The State Governments/UT Administrations concerned, having high positivity in their districts, should take pro-active containment measures so as to effectively arrest the spike in cases and to contain the spread of transmission,” said Bhalla.

“It is important to identify warning signs of potential surges early on and to take appropriate measures to curb the spread. This would require a localized approach,” he added.

The Home Secretary in his letter pointed out that there should be continued focus on the five-fold strategy i.e. Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour to safely navigate through the festive season to avoid the possibility of surge in the Covid-19 cases.

Bhalla said the state governments and UT administrations should continue with their vaccination programme with the focus to accelerate vaccination of eligible age groups and prioritization of second dose to eligible beneficiaries.

The Home Secretary urged the chief secretaries and administrators of all the states and Union Territories to issue directions to the district and all other local authorities concerned to take necessary measures as advised by the Union Health Ministry for prompt and effective management of Covid-19.

“I would also advise that orders issued by the respective State Governments/UT Administrations/district authorities in this regard should be widely disseminated to the public and to the field functionaries for their proper implementation,” he said.