CS orders strict surveillance in U’khand for new Covid strain

By Arun Pratap Singh
Dehradun, 30 Dec: The Uttarakhand Government has extended the unlock guidelines in Uttarakhand by one month till 31 January, 2021. While all the restrictions and SOPs currently in force have been extended by one month in the state, Chief Secretary Om Prakash has issued orders directing stricter surveillance and ensuring adherence to the SOPs and other restrictions in force, keeping in view the detection of a new Covid mutant strain in the country.
So far, 20 cases have been detected with the new strain of the pandemic in the country and all these cases are of persons who had recently flown into the country from UK, where the new strain has originated.
Observing that there had been a fresh surge in the number of new cases of Corona in the state, Chief Secretary Om Prakash today directed all the Secretaries and District Collectors to remain on high vigil in view of the surge. He said that the current winter season could prove to be highly conducive time for faster spread of the pandemic and, therefore, it was necessary to step up the vigil. He said that the district administrations ought to take appropriate measures regarding restrictions on the New Year celebrations in the state.
The Chief Secretary has further noted that the Union Government had started preparing for the administration and roll out of vaccines for Corona infection and that the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 had recommended prioritisation of the vaccine during the initial phases for health care workers, frontline workers, persons aged 50 and above and those below 50 years but with comorbidities. Om Prakash directed the district magistrates to direct the authorities concerned to actively support the state health and family welfare department in identifying and preparing a data base for vaccine delivery, storage, shipment, security and vaccination of the identified beneficiaries.
He reminded the officers concerned that the Supreme Court, in its orders dated 18 December, had directed stricter adherence to the SOPs related to Covid-19 like wearing of masks, maintaining physical distancing, etc. The CS directed strict action against those found to be violating these SOPs. While permitting the district administrations to impose restrictions such as night curfews and restrictions in the containment zones at the local level, the Chief Secretary was categorical that there would be no restrictions on inter-state and intra state movement of persons and goods.