‘Focus on test-track-treat strategy; ensure COVID-19 norms, don't grow complacent’: Centre to states
The easing of Covid-related lockdown norms has led to crowding in some markets and other places, the Centre said on Saturday.
FollowNew Delhi: As India begins unlock process, the central government has written to states, asking them to ensure that there is no complacency in adhering to Covid appropriate behaviour and in the test-track-treat-vaccination strategy.
The easing of Covid-related lockdown norms has led to crowding in some markets and other places, the Centre said on Saturday, as it urged states to ensure the "extremely important" five-fold strategy of Covid-appropriate behaviour, test-track-treat and vaccination to prevent the spread of the disease.
Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla wrote to the chief secretaries of all states and union territories, asking officials to ensure that there is no complacency in adhering to Covid-19-appropriate behaviour and in the test-track-treat strategy. The warning from the Union home ministry comes as several states are relaxing their Covid-19 curbs in view of a declining trend in daily new cases.
"With the decline in the number of active cases, many states and UTs have started relaxing restrictions. I would like to highlight that the decision to impose or ease the restriction has to be taken, based on the assessment of the situation at ground level. While the opening up of activities, after a decline in cases is essential, the states and UTs must ensure that the whole process is carefully calibrated," the letter, issued by the Union home secretary, noted.
To reiterate, Covid-19 appropriate behaviour includes the mandatory use of masks, hand hygiene, social distancing, and also proper ventilation of closed spaces. Regular monitoring of these protocols is required to prevent a relapse of the Covid-19 situation in the country.
"However, the easing of restrictions in some states have led to the resumption of crowding of people in markets etc. without adherence to the norms of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. It is, therefore essential to ensure that complacency does not set in, and there is no let-up in adhering to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour while opening up activities," the letter highlighted.
The Centre asked state administration officials to issue appropriate directions to the districts and all other concerned authorities to ensure that the orders are followed through and that the country can gradually relax its Covid-19 restrictions in a safe and cautious manner.
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