New Delhi: The Central government on Thursday advised the States government and the Union territories to impose local restrictions on festivals. Mass gatherings on Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Bihu, Easter, and Eid-ul-Fitr could be more dangerous for the country amid rising coronavirus cases in the country.
Additional Secretary, Health, Arti Ahuja has written a letter to Chief Secretaries and Administrators of States and Union Territories in this regard. In her letter, she said that “Any laxity at this point in ensuring strict adherence to various SoPs issued by the Ministry to contain the spread of COVID-19, may result in losing the impetus and benefits that the country has gained so far in managing the virus.”
“Strict adherence to COVID appropriate behavior in public places and gatherings is the key to break the chain of transmission and reduce the incidence of cases in the country,” She said.
Coronavirus spike in the national capital is also a challenge for the state and the central government. Kejriwal government has banned all celebrations of Holi, Shab-e-Baraat, Navaratri, and other festivals in public places due to the rise in Covid 19 cases.
The Delhi Disaster Management Authority has already directed all District Magistrates, Police, law enforcement authorities to ensure that public celebrations and gatherings, congregations during the upcoming festivals shall not be allowed in public places, public grounds, markets, and religious places.
In the last few days – the health department reports noticeably spike in the cases of coronavirus. India reports around 2 lakh cases in the last four days and detected a new ‘double mutant variant’ which is a red alarm for all states.
-Vinayak