People Without Masks At Hill Stations, Markets "A Cause For Concern": PM

"I will say very emphatically that it is not okay to have huge crowds in hill stations, markets without wearing masks," the Prime Minister said.

File Photo

New Delhi: While interacting with the chief ministers of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram via video-conferencing PM Narendra Modi expressed concern over the crowds at hill stations.

"It is true that tourism, business and business have been greatly affected due to coronavirus...but today I will say very emphatically that it is not okay to have huge crowds in hill stations, markets without wearing masks," the Prime Minister said.

#WATCH | "It's a matter of concern, that people are travelling without face masks at hill stations & market places," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/O8TG3vypeY

— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the sight of large crowds of tourists at hill stations - many of whom were without masks, and followed absolutely no social distancing - is "cause for concern".

He reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the North-East and said that there is a need to focus on improving the infrastructure related to testing and treatment. For which the cabinet has also approved a new package of Rs 23,000 crore. This package will help every state in the North East to strengthen its health infrastructure, he noted.

He stated that the COVID-19 situation is worrisome in some districts of North-East and that there is a need to stay alert and act fast to check the further spread of the virus. He also talked about the need to accelerate the vaccination programme in order to combat the third wave from flaring. 

While most parts of the country have seen a steady decline in the Covid numbers, the northeast region has been a cause of concern with the number of cases either rising or not falling in line with the nationwide trend, experts have noted.