PANJIM: In wake of repeated instances of tourists violating Covid-19 guidelines across the country, Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Saturday chaired a key meeting in New Delhi to review steps taken by State governments to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in hill stations and tourist locations.
During the meeting, the overall management of COVID-19 situation and the vaccination status in respect of the States of Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal was discussed. The Union Home Secretary sounded a note of caution in view of media reports showing blatant disregard of COVID-appropriate behaviour in hill stations and other tourist locations. He emphasised that the second wave of COVID was not yet over; and States should ensure strict adherence to the protocols prescribed in respect of wearing of masks, social distancing and other safe behaviour.
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States were also asked by the Home Secretary to follow the five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate and COVID Appropriate Behaviour, as has been laid out in the Minister of Home Affairs (MHA) order dated June 29, 2021. Adequate health infrastructure preparedness (especially in rural, peri-urban and tribal areas) was also advised, with a view to tackle any potential future surge in cases.
