“I will say very emphatically that it is not okay to have huge crowds in hill stations and markets without wearing masks,” PM Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said recent images from hill stations and city markets – of large crowds without face masks and zero social distancing – are a “cause for concern”, as he underlined the need to follow Covid protocols to ward off a potential third wave of infections.
The Prime Minister, while addressing a virtual meeting of chief ministers from the eight northeastern states, stressed the importance of adhering to basic rules – wearing of face masks when in public, avoiding large gatherings, and ensuring vaccination – to prevent a third wave of COVID-19 cases.
“It is true that tourism, business and business have been greatly affected due to coronavirus… but today I will say very emphatically that it is not okay to have huge crowds in hill stations and markets without wearing masks,” PM Modi said.
“The virus does not come and go on its own… we bring it with us when we disobey the rules. Experts are warning us repeatedly that careless behaviour – like overcrowding – will lead to an increase in Covid cases,” he added.
“Steps should be taken to prevent crowds… We all need to work together to stop the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic,” PM Modi stressed.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the need to ensure rapid and widespread vaccination, a subject that has made headlines with rows over vaccine prices and states complaining of a lack of doses.
PM Modi also alerted the CMs over the increase in cases in the northeastern states; last week central government data showed 47 of India’s 73 districts with a positivity rate of over 10 per cent were from the northeast.
Calling for greater emphasis on micro-containment zones, PM Modi said stricter “micro-level” steps were needed to check the spread of the virus in those districts.
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