Prime Minister Modi and Members of Parliament wear masks out of worry about the surge of Covid-19 cases worldwide.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members were urged to wear face masks on Thursday following reports of a global upsurge of Covid-19 infections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who attended the Upper House in the morning, was seen wearing a mask among the House Speakers and a number of other members of parliament.
The Union Minister of Health, Mansukh Mandaviya, briefed the Lok Sabha on the precautions taken. He reported that India has begun random testing of 2% of international travellers as of December 22. In order to track novel mutations, states have been requested to sequence the genomes of every Covid patient, he added.
Vice-President and Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar urged members of the Rajya Sabha to adopt social distance and take preventive steps such as using hand sanitizers and booster doses. According to the PTI, Dhankhar urged all members to take extra precautions in light of the increasing number of Covid cases worldwide. “It is our sacred obligation to set an example for our fellow citizens.”
“The current Covid situation is becoming increasingly alarming. “We must be attentive and take all preventative measures, such as wearing masks, utilising hand sanitizers, and maintaining social distance,” he added.
Dhankhar urged everyone to wear masks inside the House as well. “Once more, I ask that we join forces and set an example for the nation.”
Speaker Om Birla, who attended the Lok Sabha session wearing a mask, asked members of parliament to do the same. He recalled that masks are available at all entrances to the chamber for members and media covering the proceedings.
Several Members of Parliament, including Manoj Tiwari of the BJP and former Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, were seen wearing masks. Before entering the Lok Sabha chamber, we were required to don masks. We applaud this action. Tiwari stated that the Lok Sabha Secretariat has taken measures to ensure that enough masks were accessible for members.
However, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi accused the Opposition of disregarding the Speakers’ request. “Both parliamentary chairs have asked members to wear face masks during deliberations. “However, the Opposition leaders did not wear masks, which reveals their attitude toward the Covid standards,” he stated.
In response to the increase in reported Covid cases in China, Prime Minister Modi convened a high-level meeting with health officials on Thursday to assess the situation in India. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had written to States and Union Territories on Tuesday to increase genome sequencing.
Advisory from the Health Ministry on Covid-19
Wednesday, Health Minister Mandaviya convened a high-level conference with specialists and government officials to examine the country’s position. Thursday afternoon, he will address both houses of Parliament on this matter.
Mandaviya recommended individuals to adopt Covid-appropriate behaviours, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance, often washing their hands, and getting vaccinated. In addition, he instructed officials to “completely prepare and intensify surveillance.”
In the meanwhile, authorities will resume random testing of international travellers upon their arrival at airports. According to reliable sources, two instances of the BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron have been reported in the country, the first in September in Odisha and the second in November in Gujarat.
During the week ending on December 19, an average of 158 positive cases per day were reported in India, according to information given at the meeting. India has been recording approximately 1,200 instances every week.
