Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday emphasised on strict adherence to Covid-19 SoPs while encouraging all eligible people to get vaccinated.
“The second wave of the dreaded virus has emerged as a real threat owing to its more infectious nature resulting in higher mortality rate than the first wave that had rocked the world last year,” said Khandu while attending two separate virtual meetings on Covid-19 situation which was chaired by Governor Brig (Retd) BD Mishra on Saturday.
The CM dispensed rumours on the ineffectiveness and side-effects of the vaccine and said that the vaccine being provided by the Government is safe and effective against the deadly virus.
“Till yesterday, we have vaccinated about 1.35 lakh people. Going by the rapid increase in Covid positive cases, we have to get more and more people vaccinated. Legislators, corporators, councilors and panchayat members need to encourage people to go for vaccination besides creating awareness on compulsory wearing of masks, maintaining social distance and proper hygiene,” he said, adding by Monday the government, through the department of Health and Family Welfare, will notify the guidelines to combat this second wave.
He also informed that all entry points to the state will be on vigil and testing will be made compulsory for all people entering the state. Also restrictions will be put on social gatherings and functions.
State Health Minister Alo Libang , who also attended the meeting, has sought the cooperation and support of all to arrest the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
“We successfully thwarted the virus last year. If we are all together is in this battle, we will again succeed,” he said.
The Governor, in his remarks, appreciated the concern and enthusiasm of the state government to deal with the pandemic. He too emphasised on ramping up covid tests and the vaccination drive.
He expressed faith on the state government and said the state will emerge victorious in this battle against Covid-19 for the second time.
As per the bulletin issued by the state Directorate of Health Services, till Friday, state has recorded 16,948 Covid cases so far, of which 56 succumbed to the virus and 16,800 recovered. Active cases stood at 92.
