Amid Surge In Covid Cases, Centre Writes To States On Stricter Steps

The sudden surge was due to "laxity in the observance of COVID-appropriate behaviour" by people, especially at crowded places, the centre observed.

With the country witnessing a worrying surge in coronavirus cases, the Centre on Friday directed the states and Union territories to stricltly ensure that people follow Covid-appropriate behaviour like wearing of face masks, maintaining hand hygiene and social distancing. The sudden surge was due to "laxity in the observance of COVID-appropriate behaviour" by people, especially at crowded places, the centre observed. "After a steady decline in the number of COVID-19 cases for about five months, for the last few weeks, the number is showing an increasing trend in several parts of the country. It has been observed that it is largely due to laxity in the observance of COVID-appropriate behaviour by people, especially at crowded places," Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has said in a letter to all the states and Union territories. Therefore in view the fresh spike in the number of cases and the upcoming festivals it will be important to ensure compliance of the guidelines and strictly enforce COVID-appropriate behaviour, the Union Home Secretary said.