Home Secy urges States to calibrate imposing or easing Covid restrictions

Chennai, July 14 (UNI) Expressing concern over spike in number of
COVID cases in some state, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has
written to the Chief Secretaries of all states that a decision to impose
or ease the restrictions has to be carefully calibrated.
In his letter, he said, the blatant violations of norms have been observed
in several parts of the country, especially in public transport, market places
and at hill stations.
He said “the spike in number of cases in some states is a matter of concern.
The authorities concerned are responsible for Covid Appropriate Behaviour
in crowded places in public places and shopping areas”.
He also advised the authorities to re-impose restrictions fines and take appropriate
action against the violators and those responsible for spread of COVID-19.
Cautioning that the second wave of Covid was not yet over, Mr Bhalla called upon
the states to continue focus on the five-fold strategy for effective management of
COVID-19–Test, Track, Treat-Vaccination and adherence to Covid Appropriate
Behaviour.
He said the authorities in the state governments should issue strict directions to
the district authorities and all other local authorities concerned to regulate the
crowded places and take necessary steps and hold the officials responsible for
any laxity in the strict enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour.
The Home secretary also urged the state government to widely disseminate the
orders issued in this regard to the public and to the field functionaries, for their
proper implementation, an official release said.