Yogi asks for extra Covid caution in festive season

Chief minister directs officers not to let fireworks units come up in populated areas

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday asked for extra caution to check the spread of the Covid-19 infection during the ongoing festive season. He also directed the officers concerned not to let fireworks units come up in populated areas.

He was reviewing the Covid-19 situation and the Unlock status in the state at a meeting at his official residence here on Sunday. He said special alertness should be followed regarding Covid-19 in Meerut and all others districts reporting over 50 Covid-19 positive cases per day.

The public address system should be fully active to make people aware of the safety measures and protocols, the chief minister said.

He asked the officers concerned to monitor adherence to Covid-19 protocols, including social distancing and the wearing of masks in public places. He also asked for regular cleanliness and sanitization drives across the state.

Directing officials to keep the hospitals well equipped, he said that all hospitals and medical institutes should have fire safety in place. They must get NOC (no objection certificate) from the fire department, he added.

He said the district magistrates could consider increasing the number of paddy procurement centres in their respective districts.

“Not only the existing paddy procurement centres should function efficiently at full capacity for the convenience of the farmers who wish to sell their paddy, but also the district magistrates in their respective districts may even consider increasing the procurement centres using their discretion.

Also, make farmers aware that they should take their paddy to the procurement centres after properly cleaning and drying it. Fully reactivate the cane procurement centres as well,” Yogi Adityanath said.

He reiterated that farmers must be made aware of the ill effects of stubble burning on the environment. They should also be told that they would damage the fertility of their fields by burning stubble, he added.

Regarding winter arrangements, Yogi Adityanath asked for establishing night shelters across the state.

Chief secretary RK Tiwari and all the top officers of the state-level Covid-19 management team were present at the meeting.