UT Adviser Manoj Parida on Monday said there will be no lockdown in the city even as people need to understand that following Covid-19 protocol and behaviour is one of the crucial steps in combating this rampaging virus. The administration has also asked PGIMER to enhance its capacity upto 500 beds for Covid-19 patients, he added.
The UT Adviser said that the administration has planned to increase vaccination and any group, association, housing society can approach the administration with a list of 100 eligible persons to take vaccines. The administration will arrange a special camp near their place. Also, for old disabled eligible persons, ambulances will pick up for vaccination, if they register with the administration, he added. In an interview with ‘The Pioneer’, Manoj Parida talks about steps being taken to contain the Covid-19 as well as arrangement made for city people during ongoing pandemic: Excerpts from the interview:
Punjab has announced a day-long lockdown in Mohali on Ram Navami (Wednesday) and asked UT to follow the same in Chandigarh. Whether the UT administration too will impose lockdown in Chandigarh on Wednesday?
The UT administration will not impose lockdown on Ram Navami (Wednesday). Punjab Government had informed us regarding the imposition of lockdown in Mohali on Ram Navami and also asked us to follow the same in Chandigarh. As Haryana Government has not imposed lockdown on Wednesday so there will be no lockdown on Ram Navami in Chandigarh.
National capital Delhi has imposed lockdown. Is there any possibility of imposing lockdown in Chandigarh?
UT is governed by the Central Government. We want to assure the people of the city that there will be no complete lockdown in the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana. If the spike in the Covid -19 cases continues, be prepared for stricter restrictions. The situation is being reviewed here from time to time. We have plenty of vaccines and medicines. Since it is a medical emergency, we are monitoring the situation and all decisions will be taken in the war room meeting to be chaired by Administrator VP Singh Badnore.
Will weekend lockdown
continue in the city?
Our priority is to check the spread of infection. If the numbers of Covid-19 cases are under control, there will be no weekend lockdown but if cases continue to go beyond 500 on a daily basis, it is possible to impose more restrictions in the city. However, the final decision would be taken by UT Administrator VP Singh Badnore in the next war room meeting.
Due to fast inflow of covid -19 patients from neighbouring States, the dedicated facility at PGIMER has been stretched to its capacity with just a few beds of total 253 remaining vacant. What are the additional arrangements being made at PGIMER?
We will add more beds as need arises. We have the resources but demand is now increasing. Each facility available should be utilised to its capacity. We have asked PGIMER to enhance its capacity upto 500 beds for Covid-19 patients.
At a time when the covid-19 caseload is growing exponentially in the city, Manimajra has the highest active cases of 253. What are the arrangements being made here to contain the virus?
I think the numbers are worrying. Contact tracing teams have been deployed and officials are coordinating with the health department. We are seriously following Centre Government’s guidelines including ‘Test, Track and Treat’ to stop this emerging peak of the virus. We have scaled up the rate of RT-PCR tests, with a special focus on those areas where positive rates are high in Chandigarh. We are taking all measures to ensure that every patient can get treatment.
Even as Covid cases are rising sporadically in UT, at least 50 per cent capacity of vaccination centres remains unutilised. With a capacity of 8,000-10,000 jabs a day at about 65 vaccination sessions, but the turnout is only over 4,000. Do you think that people still are hesitant about taking vaccine?
The number of doses administered in the city as compared to its population is a grave cause of concern for the administration. There is no target. If we compare doses administered in other States and UT with similar populations with ours, the situation is low. The centre wants to speed up vaccination. We have enough stocks of vaccination for the next 8 days and there is no shortage of vaccines in the city people should come forward for vaccination. The health department is looking into the reason for people’s reluctance. Effective strategies will be launched. People should come forward for vaccination.
How will you ensure covid behavior is maintained at vegetable markets and other busy markets in the city?
Despite various activities allowed, such as inter-state travel, we were quite successful in imposing the restrictions during weekend lockdown. We are thankful to city residents for their compliance and cooperation. Officers have been asked to ensure covid-19 behavior is maintained at all the places in the city.
As UT administration is going to be tough in the coming days as cases are rising, what are your assurances for migrants?
Migrants should not worry. There will not be any complete lockdown in Chandigarh. Administration would provide them all the possible facilities like food at a cheaper rate. Free food facilities would also be made available for them if the situation arises.
Along with curbing Covid-19 cases, what are the other priority areas for the UT administration?
Curbing the Covid-19 is the main focus of the UT administration. However, other works are also being performed by the authorities concerned.
You recently took the first dose of vaccine. Have you faced any problems?
I have taken my first dose of vaccine and am waiting for another on a scheduled date. I am completely fine. I have not got a fever or any minor adverse effects of vaccine. Adverse events are not recorded in the city following the vaccination. We must take precautions as the cases are on rise again. We must adhere to the safety protocol like washing hands thoroughly with soap or using sanitizer, wear masks and maintain social distancing. Follow Covid Appropriate behaviour even after vaccination because it will take time to develop antibodies against the virus.
