MHA sends advisory to states'If Covid appropriate behaviour not maintained,such places shall be liable for the re-imposition of restrictions

The Union home ministry on Wednesday issued advisory to states and union territories over "blatant violation" of Covid-19 norms, saying there is a need to "guard ourselves against complacecy and laxity, which has crept in as positivity has declined".

It also asked states to make officers personally responsible for any laxity in strict enforcement of Covid appropriate behaviour.

'If the norms of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour are not maintained at any establishment/premises/markets etc, such places shall be liable for the re-imposition of restrictions, for containing the spread of Covid-19 and the defaulters shall also be liable for action under the relevant laws,' the advisory sent by Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla said.  

It said that people have been found violating the Covid-19 norms in several parts of the country, especially in public transport and at hill stations. "Massive crowds are also thronging the market places, violating the norms of social distancing," the ministry said.

It also said that the increase in R-Factor (reproduction number which indicates the speed at which infection is spreading) in some of the states, is a matter of concern.

"You may be aware that any increase in 'R'



factor above 1.0 is an indicator of spread of Covid-19," the advisory said.

"It is emphasised that the second wave of Covid is not yet over. We ought to remember that while the reach of vaccination is increasing considerably, there is no room for complacency and hence COVID appropriate behaviour must continue in line with our philosophy of 'dawai bhi kadai bhi'. Testing needs to be continued with the same vigor, as adequate testing is extremely essential in terms of checking the virus and early identification of cases," it further said.

The home ministry advisory came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with chief ministers of northeastern states, where he expressed concern about the rush of tourists at popular destinations.

'We often hear the argument that we must enjoy before a third wave hits. People must understand that the third wave will not arrive on its own,' Modi said.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, a health ministry official said that people are violating Covid protocols across the country.

Photos have surfaced in recent weeks of people rushing to Musoorie and Nanital in Uttarakhand and roaming around with little regard to social distancing norms or wearing of masks.