Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 13 July, while addressing chief ministers of the eight north-eastern states, said that crowding of people at hill stations and markets without wearing masks is "worrisome".
"Tourism and other businesses have been affected by the coronavirus, but I would stress this – people crowding at hill stations and markets without wearing masks is a matter of grave concern," PM Modi said.
"I often hear people saying, sometimes with great determination, that they want to 'enjoy' before the third wave (of COVID-19). It is necessary to make people understand that the third wave is not coming on its own," he said.
Modi's remarks come at a time when several hill stations across the country are crowded with people flouting COVID-19 protocols after relaxation of the lockdown restrictions.
Ask Questions on 'Prevention' of Third Wave Rather Than 'Preparation': PM
Modi said that the rather than asking questions on the "peparedness" for the third wave of COVID-19, one must ask questions about its "prevention".
"People often ask what preparations are being done (by the government) for the third wave. The questions that must be asked are how the third wave can be prevented and how does one strictly adhere to protocols," he said.
PM Modi said that the people need to be responsible, aware, and need to follow COVID-19 protocols in order to prevent the third wave and the protocols cannot be compromised upon, as suggested by experts and scientists.
"In order to fight the third wave, we need to speed up the vaccination process. In order to tackle the vaccine hesitancy, we need to take help of social, cultural, religious and educational stakeholders, and celebrities and mobilise the masses," he said.
PM Modi further stressed the importance of testing and treatment in order to improve the chances of preventing the third wave.
"The Centre recently approved a package of Rs 23,000 crore to tackle the pandemic. The north-eastern states will get a lot of assistance with this to strengthen the health infrastructure," he said.
The meeting was attended by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Manipur CM N Biren Singh, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu, Mizoram CM Zoramthanga, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, Tripura CM Biplab Deb, and Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio, along with Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
PMO Issues Statement After Meet
In a statement issued after the meeting, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that the states briefed PM Modi on their respective health infrastructures and their preparedness to tackle the pandemic.
"The CMs appreciated PM's special care and concern for the Northeast states. They briefed about progress of vaccination in their states and steps that are being taken to take vaccines to far flung areas. They also discussed vaccine hesitancy and measures being taken to overcome it," the PMO said.
"They gave an account of improvement in medical infrastructure to better tackle COVID cases and support lent through PM CARES Fund. They gave assurance of taking timely action to bring down positivity rate as well as the number of cases in their states," the statement added.
The PMO further said that Home Minister Shah appreciated the reduction in the overall daily number of cases but "forewarned that this should not lead to one becoming lax and letting one's guard down."
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