Social Distancing

State govt tells revellers to end New Year celebrations before 1 am; Centre readies for mock drills today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked people to be vigilant and take precautions against COVID-19, as he noted that the virus is spreading in many countries. In his last 'Mann ki Baat' broadcast of the year, Modi said many people are on a vacation or will go on one during Christmas and New Year and urged them to follow protocols like wearing masks and washing hands to ensure that their enjoyment is not affected adversely by the virus. The central government has stepped up measures against the virus, with the cases on a rise, especially in China where the lifting of zero-Covid policy has caused a spread of the pandemic. Modi has also chaired meetings and his government has written to the states to put in place adequate measures to deal with any spurt. The prime minister said the outgoing year, 2022, has been inspirational to India in many ways. India carved out a special place for itself in the world with its incredible vaccination doses of over 220 crore and the country ...

) India recorded 227 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 3,424, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,77,106) . The death toll stands at 5,30,693 with two fatalities with one reconciled by Kerala and one death reported in Maharashtra in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the ministry. An increase of 27 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,42,989, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.05 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed

States and Union territories will undertake a mock drill across all health facilities on Tuesday to ensure the operational readiness of the Covid-dedicated facilities, with a specific focus on oxygen plants, ventilators, logistics and human resources, according to official sources. An advisory in this regard will be issued by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya at a virtual meeting with the health ministers of the states and Union territories at 3 pm on Friday, the sources said. The states have been asked to strengthen surveillance in accordance with the surveillance strategy already issued (health facility-based sentinel surveillance; pan-respiratory virus surveillance; community-based surveillance, sewage/wastewater surveillance). They have also been asked to ensure the ramping up of the testing infrastructure, encourage precautionary dose uptake and ensure adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) in view of the upcoming festive season and the New Year. They have also b

China is woefully underprepared for the chaos that is inevitably unfolding since the Covid controls were lifted, as seen in other countries, the media reported on Friday

The Goa government will hold a meeting of various departments on Friday over rising COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world, wherein it will discuss its preparedness for a possible surge in infections amid the ongoing tourist season in the state. Talking to reporters on Thursday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said precautionary measures that need to be taken in view of the spike in coronavirus cases in countries like China will be discussed at the meeting. "The meeting will take stock of the situation in Goa," he said. Due to the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, the coastal state has been witnessing a rise in tourist footfall. State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Thursday evening took to twitter to request citizens to adopt COVID- appropriate behaviour. "In wake of a spike in COVID-19 cases in several countries, we request people to follow appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks and getting vaccinated against the virus if you haven't," he said. "We will .

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has advised people to avoid public gatherings such as wedding ceremonies, political or social meetings as well as international travel amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases in some countries, including China. In an advisory issued on Thursday, the IMA also appealed to people to go for vaccination against the viral disease, including taking the precaution dose, and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour such as using masks at public places and following social-distancing norms. According to reports, around 5.37 lakh fresh cases of the infection were reported in a 24-hour period recently from countries such as the United States, Japan, South Korea, France and Brazil, the IMA said. "With the robust infrastructure in the public as well as the private sector, dedicated medical manpower, proactive leadership support from the government and availability of sufficient medicines and vaccines, India will be able to manage any eventualities as done in the past

As the number of new Covid-19 cases decreases in South Korea, the government is actively considering easing distancing regulations

Ministry of Home Affairs advisory comes at a time when India is reporting over 15,000 Covid-19 cases each day

The rate of hospital admission has also gone slightly up in the national capital, but it is among those who have some sort of co-morbidities or are unvaccinated

The Delhi High Court on Monday said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) should review its guidelines for face masks on flights in compliance with the Centre's instructions

While some states have decided to stop penalising people for not wearing masks as COVID cases continue to drop, healthcare experts believe it is too early to do away with the restriction.

Public gatherings will be restricted to two people and gatherings in private premises of more than two families will be banned starting Thursday, as new daily cases surge above 600

In addition to the variables surrounding mask-wearing and ventilation, there is also a high degree of variability in individual coughs

'Step-by-step daily recovery' plan will gradually ease the social distancing measures depending on the risk of Covid-19, but people must 'keep mask' until the end

Tens of thousands of vaccinated Muslim pilgrims circled Islam's holiest site in Mecca, but remained socially distanced and wore masks as coronavirus takes its toll on hajj for a second year running

The prime minister said that events with huge crowds had to be stopped

As the Korean government decided to impose the highest level of social distancing (level 4) throughout the Seoul metropolitan areas due to the fourth wave, the industries are also in an emergency

South Korea has set a new high in daily coronavirus cases for the third straight day as officials prepare to enforce the strongest social distancing restrictions in the greater capital area

The Kerala High Court criticised the government for not controlling the overcrowding and sinuous queues in front of Bevco outlets amidst the pandemic