Facebook rolls out Covid 19 Announcement tool in India to amplify information on resources, essential updates

Facebook has partnered with 33 states and Union Territories to roll out the Covid Announcement tool in their respective jurisdictions. The Covid 19 Announcements can be used to amplify information on resources such as helplines and updates on resources.

Facebook is rolling out the Covid 19 Announcement tool in India. This will enable states and union territories to share essential Covid 19 related updates with users. Facebook has partnered with 33 states and Union Territories to roll out the Covid Announcement tool in their respective jurisdictions. Facebook notes that when posts by state health department pages on Facebook are marked as a Covid 19 Announcement, the platform amplifies its reach so that people located in the community are more likely to see them. People located in the affected area will also receive notification about the Covid 19 Information Center. This will help distribute important and urgent updates related to Covid 19 information vaccination efforts to people in the community. The Covid 19 Announcements can be used to amplify information on resources such as helplines, updates on hospital bed availability in districts, such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds and oxygen supported beds, changes to existing COVID-19 rules and regulation that can impact communities and day-to-day actions, such as lockdowns, night curfews and changes to treatment protocols, information about vaccine eligibility and registration, and the logistics of acquiring a vaccine, accurate information on COVID-19 appropriate behavior and preventive behavioral health measures to stop the spread of COVID-19