With no let up in the continued surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR) and other cities across Maharashtra, the Centre has advised the State administration to “stick to the basics of surveillance, contact tracing and testing”.
In its report submitted after its visit to the state 4 on March 1 and 2, the team deputed by the Union Health Ministry has said: “Don't let the guard down: stay to the basics of surveillance, contact tracing and testing. Micro plan and ensure strict compliance of protocols. Strengthen teams to ensure meticulous home quarantine, do focussed testing of 100% population in hotspot areas repeated at five days, and isolate positives to check spread”. While advising the Maharashtra government to undertake a massive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign, the Central team said: “Massive IEC Campaign and collective behavioural change and influencing for Covid-appropriate behaviour is needed”.
“Those who are opinion makers - some political leaders, some doctors - they may themselves not be following these. Renewed effort at motivation, communication, engagement with opinion makers and strict enforcement is a must. Media orientation/ engagement will be useful,” the Central team’s report said
The Central team asked the state government to strengthen the ‘Me Javabdar’ (I am responsible) campaign.
Among other things, the Central team asked District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners and Police Commissioners to “lead from the front proactively” to enhance coordination among the various implementing agencies. “What needs to be done is fairly known.... ‘getting it done’ is what is required now,” the report said.