Do whatever it takes to ramp up vaccine output, says CII prez

“LOCKDOWN IS NOT A SOLUTION IN THE PRESENT TIMES... WE NEED TO MAINTAIN STRINGENT SAFETY PROTOCOLS”

UDAY KOTAK

CII president

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Monday urged the government to accelerate vaccine production and impose strict protocols in the fight against Covid-19 in light of the second wave of the pandemic. It also called on the Centre to open up vaccination to all age groups.

CII President Uday Kotak said: “At this juncture, CII calls for quick action to be taken by the government on ‘whatever it takes’ to ramp-up production, supply and distribution of vaccines. Strict following and enforcement of safety and hygiene protocols by all sections of society is absolutely critical.”

CII stressed that lockdown was not a solution in the present times and requested instead for the maintenance of stringent Covidrelated safety protocols for public places and workplaces.

In view of the prevailing situation, CII outlined a five-point agenda for controlling the spread of infections. It includes steps such as not permitting any type of meeting or gathering comprising more than 10 people for any purpose and adherence to all safety, hygiene and health protocols stringently by all with strict enforcement measures in place.

It said factories and shop floors must be kept open for economic reasons so that production and supply chains are not disturbed.

Work from home (WFH) must be prescribed or followed wherever possible, CII said. In offices where this is not possible, only a third of employees must be allowed to attend, it suggested.

Its agenda also included running of all public transport, including metros, trains, and buses with one-third seating capacity.