NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday issued an advisory to states and union territories over "blatant violations" of Covid-19 norms. There is a need to "guard ourselves against complacency and laxity, which has crept in" as positivity has declined, read the advisory.
The advisory comes a day after PM Modi warned the country that continued laxity in adhering to the rules - which include wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing in public spaces - could invite a potentially disastrous third wave of infections.
On Wednesday, India reported 38,792 new confirmed cases of Covid-19. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has further urged chief secretaries of states/administrators of UTs to hold officers personally liable for failure to enforce Covid-appropriate behaviour. Massive crowds are thronging markets across the country while brazenly flouting social distancing norms, said the central government.
The MHA also flagged the increase in ‘R’ factor (reproduction number) in some states. "You may be aware that any increase in 'R' factor above 1.0 is an indicator of the spread of Covid-19," reads the MHA advisory.
