Raj plans Covid curbs during New Year: CM
Keeping in view the Covid situation Gehlot urges Centre to ban flights from European countries
JAIPUR: The state government has decided to impose Diwalilike restrictions on the New Year to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“Keeping public health paramount, the state government had taken strict decision during the Diwali festival and now similar decision has been taken for New Year,” tweeted chief minister Ashok Gehlot, after presiding over a meeting, which was called to review preparedness for the Covid-19 vaccination programme, in Jaipur on Monday.
Gehlot appealed to the state people to celebrate New Year at home and avoid bursting of firecrackers or public gathering. “People should celebrate New Year with family in their house, avoid overcrowding and do not burst fire crackers. It is necessary for the health of oneself and others. Rajasthan will strictly follow the directions issued by Supreme Court for all the states regarding corona,” he tweeted.
In the meeting, Gehlot directed officials to complete preparation for the Covid-19 vaccination and said that maximum number of centres should be identified for it. He also asked the officials to ensure a proper coordination from the state to block level.
During Diwali, the government had banned the sale and bursting of firecrackers to protect the health of Covid-19 patients and general public from the poisonous smoke emanating from the firecrackers. The state government had also announced a penalty of ₹2,000 on anyone found violating the order.
A senior government official said that though section 144 or night curfew were not imposed during Diwali, both are in force at present.
Meanwhile, Gehlot urged the centre government to ban flights from European countries.
“The new strain of novel coronavirus emerging in the UK is a matter of great concern. The government of India must take
People should celebrate New Year with family in their house, avoid overcrowding and do not burst fire crackers ASHOK GEHLOT, CM
prompt action, prepare a contingency plan to contain the same and also immediately ban all flights from the UK and other European countries,” he tweeted.
“When coronavirus had started spreading, we were late in banning international flights, which had led to a drastic spike in cases,” he said.
In another tweet, he stated, “India needs both a preparedness plan as well as steps to restrict any movement from affected country or countries. Our medical experts must be ready with a treatment plan in case of any outbreak of the new strain of virus. Health protocols must be adhered to even more strictly.”