Take necessary steps to regulate crowd in view of upcoming festivals, MHA tells states

NEW DELHI: In the wake of the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in some parts of the country, the ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Friday wrote to all states and Union territories to take necessary measures to regulate the crowd in upcoming festivals.
In a communication to chief secretaries of all states and UTs, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla said the country is passing through a critical juncture as Covid-19 cases and deaths have been on the rise.
Bhalla said after assessing the situation, guidelines for effective control of Covid-19 were issued by the Ministry of home affairs on March 23 and it has been emphasised that states and UTs should strictly enforce the 'test-track-treat' protocol.
Coronavirus in India: Live updates
"In view of upcoming festivals like Holi, Shab-e-Barat, harvesting festivals, Eid-ul-Fitr etc, state/UT governments should take measures to regulate crowds by ensuring strict observance of Covid appropriate behaviour such as wearing of mask and social distancing," MHA said in a statement.
It has been observed that there is a general laxity in the observance of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, MHA added.
"It is again reiterated that state/UTs should take all necessary measures to promote Covid-19 appropriate behaviour in work places and in public, especially in crowded places. For strict enforcement of wearing of masks, hand hygiene and social distancing, States/UTs may consider administrative actions, including imposition of appropriate fine," the ministry said.

The Centre further said that states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, at district/sub-district and city/ward level, to contain the spread of coronavirus.
"However, there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods including those for cross land-border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries," MHA added.

While talking about vaccination, the MHA said, "The world's largest vaccination drive, against Covid-19, is proceeding smoothly in the country. However, the pace is uneven across different States and UTs, which is a matter of concern. Vaccination against Covid-19, in the present scenario, is critical to break the chain of transmission. Therefore, all state/UT Governments should rapidly step up the pace of vaccination, to cover all priority groups in an expeditious manner."
India saw 59,118 new coronavirus infections in a day, the highest single day rise so far this year, taking the nationwide Covid tally to 1,18,46,652, the health ministry said on Friday.
The active caseload breached the 4 lakh-mark again after around three-and-half months.
The death toll increased to 1,60,949 with 257 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.