MoH asks states to prepare for upcoming Yatras, contain Covid-19 spread

Calls for managing crowds at Amarnath, Chardham and other yatras, where large gatherings could help spread Covid-19 and other diseases

The Union Health Ministry has written to states asking them to take appropriate steps to manage large crowds during upcoming festivals and ‘yatras’ across the country to keep the transmission of infectious diseases like Covid19 in check. The Health secretary also held a review meeting with 14 states on Tuesday which are reporting a week-to-week spike in Covid-19 cases. 

Major religious yatras like Amarnath Yatra, Kanwar Yatra, Chardham Yatra are expected to start in the next few days.

In his letter, the Union Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan has highlighted that in the upcoming months huge gatherings of people are expected at various parts of the country undertaking ‘yatras’ covering several hundred kilometers. Such gatherings, primarily organized by social and religious organisations, are likely to aid the spread of infectious diseases like Covid19, the statement said.

The Ministry has thus asked states to take appropriate actions like publicizing that those participating in these events should be asymptomatic, and preferably fully vaccinated, senior citizens or those with co-morbidities should consult doctors before they become part of such events. The states have also been asked to identify the routes along which such religious processions will pass, and make provisions for health desks along the route. Provision for referral and transport of serious cases to nearby health facilities should also be taken, the Centre has recommended.

Halting points should be well ventilated with provisions of thermal screening and hand washing, regular and frequent disinfections of these spots should be carried out by district authorities, the Centre has said in its communication to states.

Further, the states have been asked to strengthen their Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) for epidemic diseases with special focus on Covid19.

The states have been asked to review and strengthen the hospital bed infrastructure wherever necessary, and make arrangements for essential medicines, medical oxygen.

VK Paul, member, health, NITI Aayog who was also present in the review meeting said, "“The major action point is to focus on strengthening proactive surveillance as per the Revised Surveillance Strategy issued by Union Health Ministry on 9th June 2022." 

States were also strongly advised to strictly monitor epidemiological profile of admitted COVID patients and report the clinical manifestation to the Health Ministry, rather than a random or anecdotal reporting. "This will help to identify at an early stage any out-of-the-ordinary or different clinical presentation of the patients," the ministry said in a statement. 

Paul and Union Health Secretary both highlighted the low level of COVID testing across the states, and drop in RTPCR share.