YOGI ORDERS RURAL TESTING, HALTS INTER-STATE BUS SERVICES
LUCKNOW : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday ordered the launch of a special and extensive Covid-19 testing and tracing drive in the villages of the state from May 4 onwards soon after the counting of the votes for the panchayat polls ends. He also ordered the immediate suspension of inter-state bus services and said Covid negative report would be mandatory for air travel.
The directive for Covid-19 testing in the villages comes amid the perception that Uttar Pradesh panchayat polls may have become a Covid superspreader for the state’s hinterland.
In a Covid review meeting with Team-9, he said: “We have to save our villages from Covid and need to exercise special alertness there. So, launch an extensive Covid testing drive in the villages. Raise the number of RT-PCR tests, take help from nigrani samitis (Covid monitoring committees). Anyone found Covid positive should be given proper medical treatment according to the Covid protocol and be quarantined. The health department should prepare to make the testing drive successful. Launch the drive in all 97,000 revenue villages of the state from May 4, soon after the end of the counting for panchayat polls.”
The panchayat polls began in the state amid the onset of the intense second wave of Covid. The first phase voting was held on April 15 and the fourth and last phase on April 29. Even on the counting day on Sunday, there were reports that Covid protocols were seen being flouted at many places across the state. The chief minister said there was a need to take significant decisions to break the chain of Covid-19 transmis
sion and curtail movement.
“Immediately suspend all inter-state bus movement. Make Covid negative report mandatory for air travel,” he said.
In the last 24 hours, 36,650 Covid positive patients recovered, which was higher than the total number of 30,983 fresh cases, he said.
He described vaccination as an important safety shield against Covid. The state has administered the first dose to 1,03,54,904 people and both doses to 23,74,880 beneficiaries so far.
“The state has launched vaccination for 18-44 age group. On May 1, 86 centres in seven high Covid load districts of the state vaccinated people in the age group of 18-44. Now, speed up the programme,” he said.
He also said the condition of those in home isolation should be monitored. “Every day, through the CM Helpline, call 45,000 to 50,000 of those who are in home quarantine. Ask about their health.”
The chief minister said the state got 682 metric tonnes of oxygen on Saturday and the tenth Oxygen Express train would head to UP on Sunday.