Implement Covid norms strictly, MHA tells Govts

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over massive crowds at hill stations and marketplaces, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday wrote to all States and Union Territories (UTs) asking them to take steps to control crowding and shed complacency. The Ministry has also asked States to make officers personally responsible for any laxity in strict enforcement of Covid-appropriate behaviour.

In a letter to all States and UTs, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said massive crowds are thronging the marketplaces, violating the norms of social distancing. He also pointed out that people have been found violating the Covid-19 norms in several parts of the country, especially in public transport and at hill stations.

“With the decline in the number of active cases, States and UTs have started re-opening the activities in a gradual manner …However, blatant violations of Covid norms have been observed in several parts of the country, especially in public transport and at hill stations. Consequently, an increase in the ‘R’ factor (Reproduction number) in some of the States is a matter of concern,” read the letter.

The ‘R’-factor indicates the speed at which the infection is spreading in the country. An ‘R’-factor below one indicates that each infected individual is on average passing on the disease to less than one person.

“You may be aware that any increase in ‘R’ factor above 1.0 is an indicator of spread of Covid-19. Therefore, it is important that the authorities concerned shall be made responsible for ensuring Covid Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) in all crowded places, such as shops, malls, markets, market