Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday asked the officials not to lower the guard in prevention and treatment of COVID-19. He said that even a little carelessness could prove costly and therefore it was necessary to take full caution and remain alert at every level.

The chief minister, who was presiding over an unlock review meeting at his official residence here, said that the system of prevention and treatment of COVID-19 should further be improved in districts with higher infection rates.

He also directed the officials to further strengthen the medical facilities in Meerut and Lucknow and pay special attention to these districts.

Directing the officials to further strengthen the medical system in KGMU, Lucknow, the chief minister said that it should also be ensured that senior doctors took regular rounds and saw the patients.

He said the Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC) should be actively operated in all districts and the district magistrates and chief medical officers of all the districts should hold review meetings in Covid hospitals in the morning and ICCC in the evening every day and the office of the chief secretary and CM Office should review the status of the meetings.

Directing officials to make adequate arrangements of ICU beds in the entire state, the chief minister emphasised on focus on testing and said that Covid testing should be carried out with full capacity and efforts should also be made to increase it.

“People should be motivated to use masks and public address systems should be used extensively along with various publicity mediums to spread awareness about COVID-19,” he said, adding that people should be encouraged to follow the Covid protocol.

He said wedding ceremonies should not be disturbed.

Meanwhile, the chief minister said that his government was always concerned about the welfare of farmers and had directed the officials to ensure immediate procurement of crops and also to make payment at minimum support price (MSP) within 72 hours.

The chief minister gave these instructions while reviewing the working of various departments at his official residence on Saturday.

He also highlighted his government’s efforts to extend various help to the farmers.