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 follow the guidelines, which allow regular celebrations in a cautious, safe and COVID appropriate manner.
Bhalla said that there is a possibility that with the fall in the COVID-19 cases, especially during the upcoming festivals, the appropriate COVID practices are not followed strictly.
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“Therefore it is important to follow the guidelines that allow regular celebrations in a cautious, safe and COVID appropriate manner,” he said.
Bhalla said that utmost vigilance should be exercised with respect to mass gatherings so that any possibility of increase in COVID-19 cases can be avoided.
“Consequently, large-scale gatherings at fairs, festivals and religious events and gatherings could lead to a fresh spike in COVID-19 cases in the country,” he said.
The Home Secretary asked the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of all the States and Union Territories to monitor the case positivity, hospital and ICU bed occupancy of every district under their jurisdiction on a regular basis.
Bhalla said, “The respective State Governments/ UT Administrations, keeping high positivity in their districts, should proactively take containment measures so as to effectively arrest the spike in cases and prevent the spread of transmission. could.”
“It is important to identify the warning signs of a possible surge and take appropriate measures to contain the spread. This will require a local approach,” he said.
The Home Secretary in his letter said that a five-fold strategy i.e. Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and COVID Appropriate Practices should be followed to navigate safely during the festive season to avoid the possibility of a surge in COVID. -19 cases.
Bhalla said that the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations should continue their vaccination program so that vaccination of eligible age groups can be expedited and priority of second dose is given to eligible beneficiaries.
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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 to take necessary measures for the speedy and effective management of COVID-19 by the Union Health Ministry.
“I would also advise that the orders issued in this regard by the respective State Governments/Union Territories/District Authorities should be widely disseminated to the public and field officials for their proper implementation,” he said. said.
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