LUCKNOW: In light of rising Covid-19 cases, the UP government will not be allowing more than 100 people at any gathering or public place in an enclosed area till further orders.
In an order issued by chief secretary RK Tiwari, it has been said that in an enclosed area, only 50% of the area's capacity, subject to a maximum of 100 people will be permitted while an open area, 50% of the capacity, subject to a maximum of 200 persons will be permitted. In both cases, wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and sanitisation will be compulsory.
This and school closure for students up to class 8 are, so far, the only restrictions imposed in UP. The government will instead be focussing on increased testing, surveillance and containment to battle the second wave of novel coronavirus.
‘Spl attention to be given to Lucknow’
During a review meeting on Monday, where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave directions to limit the number of people at social events as the rate of infection of the new Covid-19 strain is quite high, he said that special attention has to be given to districts of Lucknow with 7,143 active cases, Kanpur with 1,153 active cases, Prayagraj with 1,938 active cases, Varanasi with 1,826 active cases and Gorakhpur with 551 active cases as on Monday evening. In districts where there are more than 100 active Covid-19 patients, the administration and health officials have been put on alert. UP currently has 44 such districts.
The CM said that sufficient number of beds should be available in all Covid hospitals. Beds have to be therefore increased in hospitals and medical colleges. He asked officials to ensure presence of doctors, paramedical staff and nursing staff and availability of necessary medicines, equipment and backup oxygen. The CM said that in order to ensure that treatment of non-Covid patients was not disturbed, separate Covid and non-Covid facilities should be set up. Ambulances being used for Covid patients should not be used for non-Covid patients.
To break the chain of infection, the CM said that contact tracing has to be carried out effectively. Testing has to be sped up and suspected cases should be made to take an RTPCR test. Testing should also be increased in the state.
He said that awareness drives must be carried out to sensitise people towards the disease and what they should do to prevent it. Social distancing and wearing of masks should be enforced strictly.
With the government claiming that at least half the total cases this time were being reported from rural areas, which are seeing an influx of people from other states like Maharashtra and Gujarat for Holi and panchayat elections, the CM said that nigrani or vigilance committees should be activated. Each village and ward should have nigrani samitis and yuvak mangal dal, mahila mangal dal, civil defence volunteers should be linked with them so that their help can also be taken.