In a move to protect COVID-19 patients and the public from the ill-effects of pollution, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday said that he has issued directions to ban the sale of firecrackers and restrict their use for the upcoming Diwali festival in the wake of the crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic.
In a review meeting held at the Chief Minister's residence, the CM directed to take strict action against the sale of firecrackers in the state and polluting vehicles running without fitness to protect the health of coronavirus-infected patients and the general public from the toxic smoke emitting from them.
"In order to protect the health of COVID-19 infected patients and general public due to poisonous smoke emanating from firecrackers, strict action has been taken to prohibit the sale of firecrackers in the state and restrict the movement of vehicles without fitness certificate," Gehlot tweeted.
This move comes as air pollution is on the rise in the northern states of the country currently.
The chief minister said that a second wave of coronavirus has started in developed countries like Germany, UK, France Italy, Spain and that many countries were forced to impose another lockdown.
He warned that people should also be cautious so that such a situation does not arise here.
The Rajasthan government has also decided to keep educational institutions and coaching centres including school-colleges in the state closed till November 16.
Gehlot said the recruitment process of 2,000 doctors in the state should be completed soon. Selected doctors should be given appointments within 10 days, he added.
Swimming pools, cinema halls, theaters, multiplexes, entertainment parks etc will remain closed till November 30. The maximum limit of guests at weddings should be 100.
The Rajasthan government on Saturday had also introduced an amendment bill in the state assembly to make wearing a face mask or cover mandatory in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
(With agency inputs)