Prime Minister Narendra Modi and many members of the Union Cabinet and MPs wore masks at the Parliament House on Thursday to show caution.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an emergency meeting on the Covid situation in India. The central government has laid emphasis on social distancing along with wearing masks in populated areas. At the same time, everyone has been asked to take a booster dose.
The decision that was taken in the meeting called by the Union Health Minister on Wednesday, nothing more was done in the meeting called by the Prime Minister on Thursday. Although there was a request not to panic in that meeting, many members of the Union Cabinet including the Prime Minister came wearing masks to show that there is no need for caution. Although the necessity of wearing masks has been explained, it has not been made mandatory by the government. Taking a booster dose is also repeatedly suggested, although no strict rules have yet been issued in this regard.
Even though the practice of covid has started all of a sudden, the government does not want to do anything, so that the economy will face disaster again. After three years, the economy is slightly better. The government does not want it to become uncertain again. This is because there are no restrictions on flights from countries where Covid-related symptoms have started, such as China, Japan, France, the US, South Korea or Brazil.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told Parliament on Thursday that only 2 percent of foreign passengers arriving at airports in India have been tested. They will undergo RT-PCR test at the airport. The government will decide on the safety of those passengers based on the report.
The health minister said that the government is alert and cautious. All emergency services are being prepared. Government will take action after understanding the situation. He also said that no ban will be imposed on the aircraft of the affected countries.
The foreign ministry’s weekly briefing on Thursday raised the question of what will happen to international conferences as the government suddenly became proactive in dealing with the Covid situation. In particular, the question arises about the upcoming meetings of the ‘G20’.
India has taken over the presidency of this international group this month. After assuming responsibility, India said that at least 200 conferences will be held in different states of the country in the next one year. Emphasis will be placed on the development of tourism. When asked whether the nature of those meetings will change due to Covid, ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday that all the meetings are fine as of now and everyone will attend them in person. But everything will depend on the situation.
In this situation, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has emphasized on strict adherence to the Covid rules. They said on Thursday that everyone should be careful so that the epidemic does not spread again. The rules that were followed during covid, everyone should follow from now on. The IMA said people should avoid crowds. For that, it is necessary to avoid weddings, dances and public gatherings. Foreign travel should also be stopped unless absolutely necessary. Particular caution should be exercised in those with comorbidities.
The political debate over the government’s handling of the Covid situation continued on Thursday. Last Tuesday, the Union Health Minister had written to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot advising Bharat Joro passengers to strictly follow the Covid rules. Rahul replied on Thursday. During the journey to Haryana’s Nuh area, he said, ‘The government has now decided to stop the Bharat Joro Yatra because of Covid. The government is scared. The way the public is joining the journey, the way the truth is being exposed, government hypocrisy is being caught, Covid has become an excuse to stop it.’ Rahul said, ‘This journey will go all the way to Srinagar.’Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh has already said that the Covid rules will be followed if necessary. But under no circumstances will the journey be cancelled.
The Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray, the Congress alliance partner in Maharashtra, has also taken the government to task. In an editorial in the party mouthpiece ‘Samana’, the government has left the coronavirus to prevent the Congress’ India Joro Yatra.
The editorial reads, ‘Rahul Gandhi is walking for 100 days. The participation of common people is remarkable. The government is not able to stop that journey in any way.
So it seems they released the Covid-19 virus.’ Addressing the Prime Minister, ‘Samana’ wrote, ‘Three years ago, when Corona was increasing, who called the US President Donald Trump to Gujarat?’ Ashok Gehlot said, ‘The health minister should have written the first letter to the prime minister. On this day he held a public meeting in Tripura. During the second wave of Corona, Chutiye also held public meetings in West Bengal.