Covid 19: Centre urges states to prepare strategy for upcoming festive season to control Covid-19

Covid 19: In view of the increasing cases of Covid-19 in some states, the Union Health Secretary on Tuesday wrote a letter to all the states. In the letter, the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan urged the states to prepare a strategy to control Covid-19 for the upcoming festive season, the official letter said.

According to the letter, the Health Secretary has told the states that in the coming days, festivals and travel will start in some states. There will be a risk of infection of Covid-19 due to traffic and crowd. Therefore, all the states should prepare to deal with the situation from now on.

"Upcoming months are likely to witness mass gatherings in context of various festivities as well as yatras to be held in different parts of the Country. During many such events/yatras lakhs of individuals undertake intra and inter-state journey spanning hundreds of kilometres with halting points arranged by volunteers and community based social/religious organizations. Such congregations may potentially facilitate transmission of infectious diseases, including COVID-19," Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in the official letter.

"In this context, it is essential that we do not lose the gains made so far by collaborative efforts of Central and State Governments and also take timely necessary public health steps to minimize the risk of increased COVID-19 transmission," the official letter said.

"Accordingly, there is a need to enhance focus on five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour," it added.

The Center has also asked the states to ensure that those who participate in the Yatra/rally are fully vaccinated. The government also urged to arrange for RTPCR test. There should be arrangements for health workers at different places. People from high-risk groups should consult their doctor before participating in such an event, the center said.

Apart from that, religious visits and other events need special attention, said the letter, to further strengthen Surveillance and reconcile the team of the Center.