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After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of nation-wide lockdown till May 3, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered enforcement of the second phase of the lockdown with full force across the state, maintaining that it was necessary to ensure health and future of the citizens.
He also exhorted people to follow the lockdown restrictions seriously.
In his directive to the COVID Team-11 on Tuesday, the chief minister said that as the harvesting season was underway and crop procurement would start from April 15, officials should ensure that farmers did not face problems in transporting their produce to markets.
The officials were also directed to start emergency medical services, protect health workers during their duty and alert them against infection.
The chief minister also asked officials to impart training to nursing and paramedical staff, NCC cadets and NSA volunteers at district level.
“There is no shortage of food grains in the state. Since the second phase of lockdown begins on April 15, availability of free ration should be reviewed at the state level. Besides, officials should monitor the supply chain seriously in the hotspots,” he said.
Later, in his press briefing, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said that the state government had identified 149 coronavirus hotspots in 15 districts, affecting a population of over 10 lakh, in the first phase.
He said a total of 443 coronavirus positive cases had been reported from these areas.
“Apart from the government, the district magistrates have also worked for identifying hotspots in their jurisdiction and their number has also increased. In this way, 68 hotspots under different police stations of 45 districts have been identified. Till Tuesday, 80 coronavirus positive cases were reported from these hotspots,” the additional chief secretary said.
“The chief minister has appealed to citizens to download the Aarogya Setu app which has been downloaded by millions of people in Uttar Pradesh. He specially appealed to the youth, government officials and employees and doctors to use this app,” he said.
Awasthi said that till date 17,585 FIRs for lockdown violation were lodged while 404 FIRs against 506 people were registered under Essential Commodities Act.
“Taking action against fake news, 12 accounts of TikTok, one of Facebook, two of Tweeter and one of WhatsApp have been blocked,” he said.