The Home Ministry has asked states and UTs to enforce adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour during the upcoming festive season.
In a letter to states and UTs, Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said there is a possibility that COVID Appropriate behaviour will not be adhered to strictly with the decline in cases during the festive season. He asked them to maintain utmost vigil in respect of mass gatherings to avoid surge in cases. The letter stated that large scale gatherings in fairs, festivals and religious events and functions may lead to fresh surge in COVID cases in the country.
States and UTs have been asked to closely monitor case positivity, hospital/ICU occupancy of every district on a regular basis. States having high positivity in their districts should take proactive containment measures to effectively arrest the spike in cases and contain spread of transmission. The Home Ministry asked states and UTs to focus on the five fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour. They have been asked to continue with their vaccination programme with focus on accelerating vaccination of eligible age groups and prioritisation of second dose to eligible beneficiaries.