MHA to states:Consider imposing need-based local COVID curbs

The home ministry has issued orders to all Chief Secretaries in the states and UTs stressing the need for greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making, and strict and prompt containment actions at the local and district levels, in view of the current Covid situation. Home secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to all chief secretaries of state. Bhalla has urged the state governments to strictly enforce the norms of Covid appropriate behaviour.
In the countries with Omicron-driven surge, the growth trajectory of cases has been very steep. In our country, 578 Omicron cases have already been reported in 19 states/UTs,” the Home Secretary wrote. “State governments should ensure that the health systems in the states are strengthened to meet any challenge posed by the new variant. Further, the state governments/UT administrations should ensure that oxygen supply equipment are installed and are fully functional and the buffer stock of essential drugs should also be maintained,” the letter further said.The ministry in its letter also emphasises the continued use of the five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and following the COVID appropriate behaviour to curb the virus spread. The National Directives for COVID-19 management to continue to be strictly followed throughout the country till January 31next year