NEW DELHI: ” COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation.”Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said at the 1.5-hour-long review meeting held in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.
Taking to Twitter after the meeting, the Union Minister tweeted, “In view of rising cases of #COVID19 in some countries, reviewed the situation with experts and officials today. COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation.”
VK Paul, a member of NITI AYOG- the head of the national COVID task force advised mandating masks in crowded places. So far there have been no changes announced in the international travel guidelines yet.
Pictures from the meeting showed attendees donning masks and maintaining COVID protocols. The meeting was attended by the Department of Pharmaceuticals and Department of Biotechnology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Rajiv Bahl, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog V K Paul, and National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) Chairman N L Arora and other senior officials.
The meeting came a day after a fresh bout of COVID-19 cases prompted health authorities to work on their health strategies. China, the USA, Brazil, Japan, and Korea. Earlier in the day, Mandaviya wrote to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to follow appropriate covid behavior during Bharat Jodo Yatra or else discontinue the march in the public interest.