FRIDAY, MAY 03, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Stating that the COVID-19 situation in the State is under control, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked States to be prepared to receive the much-awaited vaccine which could be ready by January 2021.
“There is no clarity on the exact date of the vaccine launch, whether it would be Indian or foreign but still the Prime Minister wanted to know the preparedness of the State for the vaccine,” Sawant said.
Sawant said he informed the PM that the priority should be to administer the vaccine to COVID warriors like health workers, police etc. “Second preference would be given to those who are 60 and above or those who have co-morbid conditions,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the issue of whether the vaccine would be paid or unpaid is still being discussed.
Following demands of the citizens for strict SOPs for incoming tourists, as done by neighbouring Maharashtra, Sawant said there was no need for any separate SOPs as the situation is under control. “We are doing awareness campaigns for tourists, and the hotels are also following all SOPs and as such there is no need to worry,” he said.
According to the official press release, Prime Minister Modi held an interaction with Chief Ministers of seven States to review the COVID-19 situation via video conferencing, to review the status and preparedness of COVID-19 response and management, with special emphasis on eight high focus States. These States were Haryana, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal. The modalities of COVID-19 vaccine delivery, distribution and administration were also discussed during the meeting.
