Finalize integrated COVID-19 control SOP for states, Gehlot urges PM
What's the story
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to finalize an integrated standard operating procedure (SOP) for COVID-19 control to ensure better coordination among states, an official release said on Tuesday.
The chief minister also suggested that the vaccination of people aged above 18 be started in the country, it said.
Details
Integrated and holistic efforts needed to effectively control COVID-19: Gehlot
At present, India is vaccinating people aged above 45. In the first two phases of the vaccination drive, healthcare and frontline workers and people over 60 were inoculated.
In his letter to Modi, Gehlot stressed the need for integrated and holistic efforts to effectively control the spread of COVID-19, the release said.
Coordination
Lack of coordination among states regarding different strategies: Gehlot
The chief minister said there is a lack of coordination among states regarding different strategies for COVID-19 control, inter-state issues such as mandatory COVID-19 test for travel, lockdown, night curfew, and functioning of educational institutions, due to which there are confusion and fear among the public.
There is a need for an integrated SOP to overcome this, he added.
Situation
He urged PM to open vaccination for people over 18
Gehlot said there has been an "unprecedented" increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in almost all the states of the country including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan in the last month.
COVID-19 control needs to be made more effective, he said.
Gehlot also urged the prime minister to open vaccination for people over 18.
Vaccination
India began its vaccination drive on January 16
So far, India has administered 8,31,10,926 COVID-19 vaccine doses as part of the nationwide vaccination drive which began on January 16.
Starting March 1, the second phase was launched to inoculate those who are above 60 years of age or are above 45 years with co-morbidities.
After April 1, all those aged over 45—even those without co-morbidities—were allowed to be vaccinated.