Covid-19: Rajasthan health minister demands closure of schools to protect children

Jaipur: Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday took a 3-hour long meeting to discuss the Covid-19 situation in the state and ways to contain it. He said that night curfew, vaccination and other measures must be followed strictly from January 3. He said that if the administration failed to act now, the situation would be out of control in a few days.

In the meeting, state medical and health minister Parsadi Lal Meena suggested the schools should be closed. He said that more people should be tested to determine the actual figures. At least, 20,000 samples should be taken on a daily basis.

“People should get fully vaccinated by January 31. This is the deadline. The administration should be strict with those who don’t get vaccinated by this date,” Gehlot said adding that Rajasthan might follow what Punjab has done. The people who are not vaccinated would not be allowed to leave their homes from February 1.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot reprimanded Jaipur CMHO for slow pace of sample collection. Gehlot said that only 3000-4000 samples were being taken even when Covid-19 cases are pouring in over the past few days. “Don’t you think we must collect at least 10,000 samples in Jaipur on a daily basis,” Gehlot asked.

SMS Medical College experts told the chief minister that Rajasthan might have thousands of active cases in the next 30 days, so everyone should be prepared.

In the meeting, Jaipur district collector said the state capital city has been divided into 23 parts for effective implementation of Covid-19 protocols. “Most patients are asymptomatic. We will deliver medicines door-to-door and make sure that people are fully vaccinated by January 31,” he said.