New Delhi:
A series of restrictions have been recommended by the Centre ahead of New Year to tone down celebrations in the backdrop of the Covid outbreak and the new super infectious strain that has reached India with folks returning from the United Kingdom. The states have been asked to impose restrictions on December 30, 31 and January 1 soon after assessing the regional scenario, even though the final choice has been left to them.
“The number of Covid 19 active cases is declining steadily in the country for the last three-and-half months. Keeping in view the fresh surge of Covid-19 cases in Europe and Americas, there is still a need for maintaining comprehensive precaution and strict surveillance within our country,” a top rated official has written to the states.
“You would appreciate that in the wake of New Year and various celebratory events associated with it as well as on-going winter season, strict vigil is required to be maintained to curb all potential “super spreader” events and places where crowds may gather,” the letter study.
The letter, nonetheless, stated that there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods.
The Centre’s advisory comes as the nation recuperates from a enormous spike in situations for the duration of the festive season and its run-up. While the day-to-day Covid figures in the national capital had shot up to 8,500, the national figure had climbed to 97,000 a day.
Over the final 24 hours, the nation recorded 20,549 fresh infections — 25 per cent greater than yesterday, taking the total to 1,02,44,852.So far, 1.48 lakh deaths linked to the illness have been recorded.
The letter comes as 20 coronavirus patients carrying the UK strain of the virus — believed to be 70 per cent more infectious — have been detected across the nation. While flights to and from UK have been stopped till January 7, the Centre has began a enormous project of tracing and testing international travelers who reached the nation in the 14 days in between December 9 and 22.
Genome sequencing of the 140-odd folks who returned from the UK is also on. Besides, the government plans to conduct genome sequencing on 5 per cent of the folks who tested positive in the nation due to the fact November 23, to zero-in on any fresh mutation.
A consortium of 10 government labs is conducting the genome sequencing for the new strain.