'Open Invitation To Virus': Govt's Warning After Tourists Violate Covid Norms In Uttarakhand, Himachal

While addressing a press briefing, government officials also played a video from Kempty Falls in Uttarakhand's Mussoorie.

Tourists stop at a waterfall at Khoksar in Himachal Pradesh.(Image: PTI)

New Delhi: After visuals of people thronging to tourist places such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and other states throwing Coronavirus protocols for a toss, the Centre on Friday issued a stern warning saying that the virus is not over and everyone must continue to follow Covid appropriate behaviour. 

Addressing the Health Ministry press briefing, NITI Aayog's Member, Health, V.K. Paul said: "We cannot lower our guard. Need to continue following Covid appropriate behaviour as it is not the end of the pandemic. Visuals of crowds not maintaining social distancing at tourist places are a serious cause of concern."

"It is necessary to keep following Covid protocols in order to close the second wave fully," Joint Secretary, Health, Lav Agarwal said.

While addressing a press briefing, government officials also played a video from Kempty Falls in Uttarakhand's Mussoorie, where a large crowd of people can be seen flouting all Covid protocols, asking is it not an open invitation to the virus to infect us?

"In a mood of recreation at tourist spots, there is a particular risk of Covid. The infection has always spread in crowded places faster. Tourism should be there, but if we are irresponsible and don't follow Covid-appropriate behaviour, the virus can spread faster," Paul said. 

"We want to request the public to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour under all circumstances. You are not just exposing yourselves, but also near and dear ones and it can result in us losing the battle against Covid," Agrawal noted.

Further speaking about the decline in daily new cases of Coronavirus in the country, Agarwal said that more than half of the total cases in the country are primarily reported from two states - Maharashtra and Kerala and spread of infection concentrated in limited geography.

As per Health Ministry, 66 districts have reported more than 10 per cent positivity for the week ending July 8 and 80 per cent of new cases are reported from 90 districts which need focused attention.