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Key Highlights
- Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Dr SS Sandhu had on Tuesday instructed all District Magistrates to set up containment zones
- He has also given a go-ahead for strict curbs such as night curfew, ban on crowding, reducing the number of people attending marriages and funerals, etc.
Nainital: In wake of the surging cases due to the highly mutant Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, the Uttarakhand High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Election Commission of India seeking postponement of the state elections next year.
“The Omicron variant is spreading at a rapid pace, in the midst of which political parties are conducting rallies, thereby posing threats to lives of people,” the High Court reportedly said.
The notice comes a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Himalayan state during which he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of 23 projects worth over Rs 17,500 crore in Haldwani.
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Dr SS Sandhu had on Tuesday instructed all District Magistrates (DMs) to set up containment zones and impose stringent restrictions on the basis of population density amid a potential third wave of the coronavirus pandemic in India.
Sandhu has instructed all DMs to take special measures for the protection and safety of people against the virus and its new variant.
“He has instructed the DMs to follow the preventive measures and restrictions in accordance with the instructions issued by the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. He said that he is keeping a constant watch on the cases of Covid-19 in all the districts. He has directed all DMs to ensure the continuation of containment strategy, testing, contact tracing, isolation, surveillance, adequate clinical management, vaccination and Covid-19 appropriate behaviour,” a statement from his office said.
The Chief Secretary has also given a go-ahead for strict curbs such as night curfew, ban on crowding, reducing the number of people attending marriages and funerals, limiting the footfall in offices, industries and public transport, etc. in case of a surge in cases.
“Instructions were given that strict compliance of Containment Zone, Buffer Zone etc. should be ensured,” the statement read.