PM Modi, MPs Mask Up In Rajya Sabha As Govt Advises Caution Amid China's Covid Surge

PM Modi and other Rajya Sabha MPs were seen in masks during the ongoing session of Parliament as the government has advised caution amid China's Covid surge.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Rajya Sabha MPs were seen wearing masks inside the House as the Covid surge in China and other countries has triggered an alarm and the government has advised caution.

Union Parliamentary Affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said, "Both the chairs in the Parliament have requested the members to wear face masks during proceedings." He alleged, "The leaders from the Opposition didn't wear masks which shows their attitude towards Covid guidelines."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also review the situation related to Covid and related aspects in the country at a high-level meeting on today.

This comes as the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Thursday advised people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour with immediate effect. The medical body asked people to avoid international travel and wear masks in all public places.

In a statement, the IMA said the situation was not alarming in India and there was no need to panic. "Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, all are advised to take the following necessary steps to overcome the impending Covid outbreak," the IMA said.

The Indian Medical Association also asked the government to ramp up preparedness for any such situation as seen in 2021 during the deadly Covid second wave by issuing necessary instructions to the concerned Ministries and Departments to make available "emergency
medicines, oxygen supply and ambulance services".

The medical body, however, said India was equipped to manage any eventualities as it had robust infrastructure in public as well as in private sector, dedicated medical manpower and availability of sufficient medicines and vaccines.

The fresh concerns regarding Covid comes amid an explosion of cases in China following the recent easing of strict lockdown measures. Hospitals and medical facilities in China have been overwhelmed with patients.

The IMA, quoting reports, said nearly 5.37 lakh new Covid cases were reported in the last 24 hours from major countries like China, USA, Japan, South Korea, France and Brazil.