Himachal Pradesh : Chief Minister instructs officials to ensure that the tourists follow the appropriate behavior of COVID

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur chaired a review meeting of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state with Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Chief Medical Officers through video conference from Shimla today. He directed the officials to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behavior by the tourists visiting the state to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has allowed free movement of tourists in the State, as a result of which a large number of tourists are coming to the State. He said that the state being a tourist destination is attracting large number of tourists every day. He said that though the State welcomes tourists, the State Government is also ensuring that no tourist will be allowed to violate the Standard Operating Procedures issued by the State Government regarding COVID-19 Appropriate Practices. . He also directed the district administration to keep a watch on the tourists not following the COVID appropriate behavior and take action against the violators. He urged the tourists to use face masks and hand sanitisers apart from strictly following the standard operating procedures issued by the State Government from time to time.

Jai Ram Thakur said that there is a steady decline in the number of COVID cases in the State, hence the number of tourists has also increased manifold. He said that major tourist places like Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala etc. are attracting large number of tourists. Hoteliers, travel agents and home stay owners should also encourage tourists staying at their establishments to maintain COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. He said that NGOs would be involved in providing masks to tourists who do not have masks.

The Chief Minister said that the police should identify such places where there is a high influx of tourists. He said that special police should be deployed in such places so that people can be motivated to adopt COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. He said that the work of mother and child hospitals to be built in the state would be completed within the stipulated time period. He said that special focus would be on contact tracing of COVID-19. Eight PSA oxygen plants have been set up in the state and 28 additional PSA plants will be set up soon to ensure that there is no shortage of oxygen in case of any emergency.

Jai Ram Thakur said that in order to deal with the possible third wave of COVID, besides increasing the testing capacity, there should be improvement in the care facilities of the patients on admission to the hospital. He said that provision of oxygen concentrator should be made up to the level of Community Health Center. He said that besides strengthening the ICU facilities, procurement of additional equipment is being ensured. He said that till July 8, 2021, 41,44,972 doses of vaccination have been given to the people in the state.

Jai Ram Thakur said that special emphasis should be laid on contact tracing and proactive detection of corona virus cases. He said that the shopkeepers and other traders should be motivated to adopt the policy of ‘no mask, no service’.

Health Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal said that the Health Department is taking effective steps to deal with the possible third wave of COVID-19.

Chief Secretary Anil Khachi said that it is necessary to organize regular meetings with the stakeholders to follow various standard operating procedures in the state. He said that more emphasis should be given on tracing and tracking of COVID patients. Emphasis should be laid on ensuring effective maintenance of makeshift hospitals so that they can be utilized in a short span of time.

Health Secretary Amitabh Awasthi welcomed the Chief Minister and conducted the proceedings of the meeting. He also gave a presentation related to the preparedness to deal with the possible third wave of COVID-19.

All the Deputy Commissioners apprised the Chief Minister that necessary steps are being taken in the respective districts regarding the appropriate behavior of COVID to the tourists and general public. He also informed about the arrangements made to prepare to deal with the possible third of Kovid.

Additional Chief Secretary J.C. Sharma, Deputy Commissioners of District Mandi, Kangra and Lahaul-Spiti were present in Shimla, while Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Chief Medical Officers of other districts participated in the meeting through virtual medium from their respective districts.