Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation related to Covid-19 in the country and the preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, the status of the vaccination campaign in the country, and the emergence of new Covid-19 variants.
PM Modi takes big decisions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently advised people to follow Covid-appropriate behavior, including wearing masks in crowded places and getting vaccinated. India has already reported four new Covid cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, which is apparently the strain driving China’s current surge of Covid cases.
PM Modi cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigil and stressed that “Covid is not over yet” and directed officials to maintain the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at international airports.
He emphasized the need to guarantee that the entire Covid infrastructure at all levels is maintained at a high level of preparedness in terms of equipment, processes, and human resources. According to an official statement issued by the PMO, he advised states to audit Covid specific facilities to ensure the operational readiness of hospital infrastructure, including oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators, and human resources.
PM Modi also led officials to ramp up testing and also genomic sequencing efforts. He pressed everyone to follow Covid appropriate behavior at all times, especially in view of the forthcoming festive season, including wearing masks in crowded public places. Prime Minister also urged that precaution dose may be facilitated especially for vulnerable and elderly groups.
Lockdown nightmare returns?
According to News 18, random sample testing will be done at airports for international passengers arriving from China and other countries in view of the wave in cases.
Officials also state that in the wake of Christmas and new year celebrations, states are advised to confirm that people wear masks, use sanitizers and maintain social distancing along with increasing awareness for preventive doses.
Dr. Anil Goyal of the Indian Medical Association said that there won’t be a lockdown situation in India since 95 percent of the people are vaccinated. “The immunity system of Indians is stronger than that of the Chinese. India needs to go back to Covid basics — testing, treating, tracing,” he added.
