Amid sharp rise in COVID-19 cases in the state, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said that the State Government is working strenuously to deal with any situation which may arise due to the third wave of COVID-19.
The Chief Minister presided over a meeting of Deputy Commissioners to review the situation in the state.
Haryana on Sunday reported 577 fresh COVID cases with Gurugram registering a maximum of 358 infections.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioners to ensure the review of oxygen plants, hospitals, and other necessary equipment and facilities in the districts.
He asked the Deputy Commissioners to keep the local level committees and inter-department committees of their districts on alert so that their services can be availed when required. Services of Anganwadi workers and the Education Department can also be sought, he said.
Khattar said that the bus stands, mini secretariats, malls, gyms, and other public places should be kept under surveillance, and entry of people without vaccination certificate should be strictly restricted.
Complete vigil should be kept on the travelers coming from abroad till it is ensured that they do not have any kind of covid related symptoms. The test report of the new variant takes time and till then they should be advised to stay in home isolation, he said.
The Chief Minister further said that the facility of testing the new variant of COVID-19 has been started in Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.
He also asked the Deputy Commissioners to review the COVID cases on a daily basis and analyze the pattern if any.
He said that the new variant-Omicron is spreading rapidly and the second wave variant is also active. “It is important to take precautions. Along with this, the night movement should also be strictly observed. There is a provision to impose a fine of Rs. 500 at an individual level and Rs. 5000 at the institution level if they are found violating the COVID guidelines,” he added.
The Chief Minister further said that the health workers and front-line workers and people above the age 60 years will be administered precaution doses from January 10, 2022. Apart from this, vaccination for children in the age group of 15 to 18 years will also be started. They will be administered Covaxin from January 3, he said.
Khattar said that cases of Covid are increasing in Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula, Sonipat, and Ambala and these districts have been kept in Group A as the risk of spread of infection is high in such districts.
Notably, Haryana Government had a day before ordered the closure of cinema halls, multiplexes and sports complexes in these five districts from January 2 to 12. Malls and markets will be allowed to open till 5 pm, while bars and restaurants will be allowed to operate at 50 per cent seating capacity in these districts.
The State Government has also ordered that Universities and Colleges will remain closed till January 12 for students.
It was informed that about 3 lakh vaccination doses are being administered every day and so far, about 3.45 crore people including two crore with first dose and 1.44 crore with both doses have been vaccinated in the state.