The Centre has decided to extend the containment measures taken to halt the spread of Coronavirus till the 31st of January 2022. This step has been taken by the government in the wake of the threat that the latest variant of the virus is posing all over the world. The Omicron variant is said to be three times more transmissible than the Delta variant of Coronavirus.
The main concern of the union government is the upcoming festival season. The government has urged all the states and union territories to take appropriate measures at the local level to control large gatherings and impose restrictions accordingly.
Ajay Bhalla, Union Home Secretary has issued a new advisory asking the states to maintain the focus on the 5 fold strategy that includes the testing, tracking, treating, and the vaccination of people along with following the Covid containment measures to stop the rising cases of the deadly virus. He reported that the nation has not seen a rise in active cases of Corona but the Omicron variant is deadlier than all the others so far and has taken over the western world. He said that this has posed a new challenge for the government and the measures taken so far have to be extended for a few more weeks to avoid the possibility of a surge in covid cases.
He also warned the states and union territories of the threats and asked them to not let their guard down yet. The local and district administration has been asked to promptly assess the situation in their respective areas and to take measures accordingly. The Omicron has been rising with a very steep growth trajectory in most countries. Omicron surge has been seen in 116 countries where a steep surge is seen mostly in the United Kingdom, the United States Italy, Spain, South Africa, and Australia.
India has reported 578 Omicron cases so far in 19 states and union territories.
A normative framework was given for the states and UTs in the advisory issued by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry. Bhalla stressed the need for greater foresight, prompt decision-making, need-based restrictions, and stringent measures to stop both the variants of the Coronavirus in the country. State governments have been asked to prepare for the possible third wave of the virus by maintaining fully-functional oxygen supply equipment and a buffer stock of required drugs.
Bhalla also said that the healthcare system of the country has to be strengthened for a possible surge in the active cases of Omicron. The Enforcement machinery of the states is also asked to enforce strict norms of Covid-appropriate behavior which includes maintaining social distancing in public areas, banning large gatherings, wearing masks at all times in public. He asked the states to discourage the spread of any misinformation regarding the new variant to avoid instilling fear and anxiety among the people.