TAWANG, Apr 17: Chief Minister Pema Khandu today took stock of the state’s evolving COVID situation through two separate virtual meetings here from the Tawang district headquarters, first with the legislators and then with the corporators, councillors and Zilla Parishad members.
The virtual meeting chaired by Governor Brig (Rtd) B D Mishra which was attended by Khandu specifically concentrated on preparedness of five districts that have witnessed a spike in positive cases namely Lower Dibang Valley, Papum Pare, Namsai, East Siang and West Kameng. Terming the second wave as “real threat” in the meeting, Khandu emphasized on strict adherence to COVID 19 SOPs and vaccination and dispelled rumours on the vaccine’s ineffectiveness and side-effects. “Till yesterday, we have vaccinated about 1.35 lakh people. Going by the rapid increase in COVID positive cases, we have to get more and more people vaccinated. Legislators, corporators, councillors and panchayat members need to encourage people to go for vaccination besides creating awareness on compulsory wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing and proper hygiene,” the CM stressed.
While emphasizing on more testing through Truenat and RT-PCR, Khandu informed that by Monday the Department of Health and Family Welfare will notify new guidelines to combat the second wave. “All entry points to the state will be on vigil and testing will be made compulsory for all individuals entering the state. Also, restrictions will be put on social gatherings and functions,” he informed. Several legislators and local body leaders urged the government to reduce RT-PCR and RAT charges for the poor and many also suggested that the vaccine be made available to all age groups. The demand for ‘vaccination to all’ has been triggered by the recent finding that the second COVID wave has victimized younger people most falling under the 15-29 year age group.

Health Minister Alo Libang sought cooperation from all to arrest the spread of coronavirus in the state. Compared to other parts of the country, Arunachal Pradesh is on the safer side, however, people will have to be cautious, he said. “We successfully thwarted the virus last year. If we are all together in the second battle, we will again succeed,” he asserted.

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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

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