Tika Utsav & Corona Curfew: PM Modi Urges On Covid Situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that a challenging situation was emerging again due to COVID-19 and urged states to ramp up testing.

Chairing a meeting with chief ministers over the COVID-19 situation in the country, he said many states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Punjab had crossed the peak of the first wave in terms of COVID-19 cases and it was a matter of serious concern. He said the period between April 11 to April 14 can be observed as Tika (vaccination) Utsav’ for COVID-19 vaccination.

The Prime Minister said that April 11 is the birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule and April 14 is the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar. “Can we do a mass vaccination programme from 11-14th April for the eligible people with zero wastage and use our resources optimally?” he asked.

“A challenging situation is emerging again. We need to fight the second surge in cases. Many states including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Punjab have crossed the first wave of peak in terms of COVID-19 cases. This is a serious concern. People have become complacent. In most states administration has also become relaxed. I appeal to you all to stress on COVID19 testing. Our target is to do 70 per cent RT-PCR tests. Let the number of positive cases come high, but do maximum testing,” he said.

The Prime Minister said people should not become careless after taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

PM Modi asked the state governments to concentrate on micro-containment zones. In places where night curfew has been imposed, he urged to use the word ‘Corona Curfew’, to continue alertness about coronavirus. It will be better to start curfew timing from 9pm or 10pm till 5am or 6am, he added.

Modi asked the Chief ministers to increase the number of tests being done on daily basis with the aim to reduce positivity to 5% or less, with focused & targeted testing in containment zones & areas where clusters of cases are being reported.

‘Corona curfew’ (night curfew) to be imposed in urban areas of Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua, Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam, Anantnag and Kupwara districts between 10pm-6am from 9th April: Office of LG, Jammu and Kashmir.

(ANI)