The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday issued an advisory to states and Union Territories asking them to regulate crowded places and take necessary measures for management of COVID-19.
The MHA, in its advisory, reiterated that COVID-19 appropriate behaviour must be followed strictly and urged the state chief secretaries to issue strict directions to the district and all other local authorities concerned, to regulate the crowded places and take necessary measures for management of COVlD-19.
"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 sent by Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla stated.
The Ministry also noted blatant violations of COVlD norms have been observed in several parts of the country, especially in public transport and at hill stations.
"Massive crowds are also thronging the market places, violating norms of social distancing. Consequently, an 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," the Ministry stated.
The MHA's advisory issued to the state chief secretaries cautioned that the second wave of COVID-19 is not yet over.
"It is emphasised that the second wave of COVID is not yet over. 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. 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 stated.
"We must guard ourselves against complacency and laxity, which creep in as positivity declines. Instead , during the periods of low positivity, efforts must be stepped up to prevent any probable future surge. There should be continuous focus on the five-fold strategy for effective management of COVID-19 i.e. Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to COVID appropriate behavior," it added.
The advisory was issued a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a review meeting on COVID-19 with the chief ministers of the Northeastern states.
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