Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray Calls Emergency Meet on Sunday to Discuss Omicron Measures
Maharashtra government is also set to reissue safety guidelines regarding Covid-19, on the basis of which the Mumbai civic body will revise its guidelines too.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has called an emergency of top state officials to discuss contingency measures to contain the spread of the new Covid-19 mutant Omicron which has sparked global panic. All dictrict collectors have been asked to attend the meeting, sources said.
Maharashtra government is also set to reissue safety guidelines regarding Covid-19, on the basis of which the Mumbai civic body will revise its guidelines too. Some restrictions may be imposed at Mumbai airport soon and an order will be issued, sources said.
Maharashtra Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday also asked Thane district authorities and local civic officials to keep hospital facilities ready and ensure strict adherence among people to COVID-19 protocols in view of the emergence of a new variant of the infection. The new B.1.1.529 variant detected in the southern part of Africa, which has now been named Omicron by the World Health Organisation, has been classified as a ‘Variant of Concern’ due to its reported high transmissibility.
Shinde, during the meeting held through video conferencing, said the Maharashtra government was prepared to tackle any eventuality, and directed officials to carry out audits of COVID-19 hospitals and other facilities to ensure preparedness against any spike is at its optimum. The minister said some of the treatment facilities shut due to a fall in case numbers must be kept ready for reopening as soon the need arises, district officials said.
As concerns grow over a new Covid variant Omicron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for a proactive approach and a review of plans for easing of international travel curbs and urged people to be more cautious while several states moved quickly to take precautionary measures and remain vigilant. Two South African returnees to Bengaluru, meanwhile, tested positive for Covid-19 triggering alarm. However, their samples turned out to be of the Delta virus. In all, 584 people from 10 countries arrived at the airport today, of these 94 were from South Africa prompting Karnataka and Kerala governments to tighten curbs. Maharashtra government also issued new curbs that include increased surveillance at Mumbai airport.
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