Chhattisgarh Health Minister T.S. Singh Deo on Tuesday warned people against taking Covid-19 casually if and when authorities announce relaxations in lockdown in the coming days.
It is up to the people to ensure that the state and district administrations are not forced to impose a lockdown again, he said in a video message.
The current lockdown has led to a reduced number of positive cases. But still there is a need to remain alert, he told the media.
Singh Deo said the total lockdown had been effective as the Raipur and Durg divisions have seen a fall from the highest number of cases earlier.
Now the concern is regarding Bilaspur and Surguja divisions where higher positive cases are being reported. It is more than 20 percent positivity in these divisions, he said.
The average positivity in the state has reached 18 percent. Day by day, the positive cases are falling, he said.
In this case, the lockdown is likely to be relaxed in the coming days.
Once the lockdown restrictions are eased, if the citizens think that Covid-19 has gone, it will be the biggest mistake, the Minister warned.
“Once the relaxation is made, people will step out of homes. We have to continue with the Covid appropriate behaviour of wearing a mask, washing hands regularly, use sanitizer and keep physical distance. If not, positive cases will again surge,” he said.