ITANAGAR, Apr 17: Governor Brig. (Dr) B. D. Mishra (Retd.) today in a virtual interaction with all members of the State Legislative Assembly, urban bodies and PRIs of the state including Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Health Minister Alo Libang here from the Raj Bhavan exhorted them to proactively participate in spreading awareness on COVID SOPs and vaccination among people.
Underscoring the overarching need to take necessary precautions for safety and security of the state’s people, the Governor emphasised on sticking to COVID appropriate behaviour and micro containment to put up a stiff resistance against the 2nd wave. Elected representatives as experienced, responsible and effective individuals must educate the people against crowding, spitting in public places and rumour mongering, he said while insisting that they mustn’t forget their responsibilities of motivating the masses to get vaccinated.  “Success of the concerted campaign against the pandemic depends equally on people and government machinery. If the people in their individual capacity work with involvement, strictly adhere to anti-COVID protocols and ensure all SOPs are maintained by their family members, neighbours and colleagues, the virus can be controlled,” the Governor iterated. 
While responding to the concern regarding frequent movement of army and paramilitary forces in the state, the Governor said he had been informed by the Army Commander, Eastern Army Command, Kolkata that 97% to 99% of the army personnel have been vaccinated and those with COVID symptoms are currently under isolation at army stations and it’s only after being treated and cured they will be allowed to move towards forward posts. Replying to the concern regarding shortage of vaccine, the Governor informed that he has taken up the issue with the Union Secretary for Health and a stock of twenty thousand vaccines for Arunachal Pradesh has been released immediately. There will be no shortage of vaccines as the President, Prime Minister and union government are concerned about the state’s people, he assured.
Words of caution regarding holding of public gatherings without maintaining social distancing and people’s reluctance in wearing masks have also arrived from the Governor. It is not the duty of the government agencies only like the District Administrations and District Police, but also for every member of society to enforce COVID SOPs, he added while expressing hope that with people’s proactive cooperation, the pandemic will be contained in the state.
The Chief Minister, DCM and Health Minister informed about the initiatives taken by the state government including reduction of charges for COVID tests, ramping up of screening and tests at entry points, etc. which will be made effective from April 19. They further called upon the participants to cooperate with the state machinery and help in creating awareness about COVID and vaccine. Focus will be now on TrueNat and RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing along with speeding up the vaccination process, the CM informed. Legislators, urban body members and ZPCs of the most-affected districts shared their suggestions.
Earlier, State Health Secretary P Parthiban gave a PowerPoint Presentation on the state’s current COVID situation. PRO Raj Bhavan 

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List