Image credit The Indian Express; PTI
Expressing the ease of COVID-related lockdown norms which has led to over crowding in some markets and other places, the Centre on Saturday urged states to make sure about the ‘extremely important’ five-fold strategy of COVID-19 with appropriate behaviour, test-track-treat, and vaccination should be in track to stop the spread of the disease.
In a letter to all or any states and Union Territories (UTs), Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said that vaccination against COVID-19, within the present scenario, is critical to interrupt the chain of transmission. Therefore, all states and UT governments should intensify the speed of vaccination to hide maximum number of individuals in an expeditious manner, he said.
The letter comes every day after the Delhi supreme court took note about the ongoing violations of COVID-19 norms in Delhi markets and said that breach of protocol will only hasten the third wave of infections. The court also asked authorities to require strict measures against violators, sharpen shopkeepers and hold meetings with markets and vendors associations during this regard.
The home secretary said that in the second wave, a big surge in cases was witnessed in several states and UTs, and lots of of them imposed restrictions so as to contain the spread of the infection.
Union Home secretary said, “With a decline within the number of active cases, many nations and UTs have started relaxing restrictions, I might wish to highlight that the choice to impose or ease restrictions has got to be taken supported the assessment of things at the bottom level.”
Bhalla said while the opening from activities after decline in cases is important, states and UTs must make sure the whole process is ‘carefully calibrated’. He further mentioned that, “While opening up, it might be extremely important to follow the five-fold strategy of COVID-19 with appropriate behaviour, test-track-treat and vaccination.”
There should be regular monitoring of COVID-19 with appropriate behaviour is required to stop relapse, he said, adding, that this includes mandatory use of masks, hand hygiene, social distancing and also proper ventilation of closed spaces. “However, easing of restrictions in some states have led to resumption of crowding of individuals in markets etc., without adherence to the norms of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour,” Bhalla said
It is therefore essential to make sure that complacency doesn’t set in and there’s no let-up in adhering to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour while opening up activities, Bhalla added.