The country’s top doctors’ body, Indian Medical Association, today appealed to the public to follow Covid appropriate behaviour with immediate effect. In an advisory, it listed necessary steps to overcome “the impending Covid outbreak, including wearing face masks in all public places, maintaining social distancing, regular handwashing with soap and water or sanitizers. Soon after, union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in the parliament that the government is keeping an eye on rising Covid cases in the country, and listed measures to contain the spread of the virus. He said all states have been asked to do genome sequencing, and random sampling of international flyers has also started from today.
The IMA has advised avoiding public gatherings like marriages, political or social meetings, and international travel. It further appealed to the people to consult doctors in case of any symptoms like fever, sore throat, cough, loose motions etc, and getting Covid vaccination including precautionary dose at the earliest.
In an advisory, it listed the necessary steps to overcome an impending COVID outbreak:
It is necessary to wear a mask in public places
It is necessary to maintain social distancing
Keep washing your hands with sanitiser and soap
Avoid going to political and social meetings
Avoiding international travel
If you are suffering from problems like fever, sore throat, cough or loose motion etc., then go to the doctor
Get the Covid vaccination done as soon as possible, which also includes the precautionary dose
The IMA also appealed to the government to upscale the preparedness by issuing necessary instructions to the Ministries and Departments concerned to make available emergency medicines, oxygen supply, and ambulance services.
“As of now, the situation is not alarming and therefore there is no need to panic. Prevention is better than cure,” it added.
According to sources, the Centre might issue an advisory to all states against overcrowding while celebrating New Year after a high-level COVID review meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The government has already given instructions for the random checking of passengers coming from abroad at the airport.
