Expressing concern over the rapid surge in the Covid-19 cases in the state, Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday urged the BJP workers to motivate people to get vaccinated against the virus.

The Chief Minister was addressing a virtual meeting of BJP workers here.

He said that in the first wave of Covid last year, the party worker worked tirelessly to provide the people of the state face masks, food packs and hand sanitizers etc.

Sharp surge has been witnessed by the state, as there were only 218 cases left in the state on February 23 this year, but today, there are 5005 active cases. As many as 10,690 fresh cases were reported during the last 45 days, he said.

Thakur said that all this required strict vigil and precautions to check further spread of the virus.

He said that people must be motivated to get vaccinated and also adopt SoPs issued by the State Government. People must also be motivated to strictly adhere to the limit of guests in social functions such as marriages etc fixed by the State Government. This would help in containing the spread of the virus in a big way, he added.

The CM further said that the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar must be celebrated in a befitting manner by adopting all the SoPs of the State Govt. Steps must be taken to celebrate this occasion in a small number by adopting social distancing and ensuring that the gathering does not exceed two hundred, he said.

Member of Parliament and state BJP president, Suresh Kashyap said that the party worker must actively participate in motivating the people of the state to come forward to vaccinate themselves against the COVID-19 virus. The ‘Tikka Utsav’ is being celebrated in the state from April 11-15.