News Analysis India

Tag: COVID cases in MP

  • In this MP district, only fully-vaccinated people can buy liquor

    Express News Service

    BHOPAL: The excise department in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh has decided to rely on its experience of “tipplers don’t lie,” rather than vaccination certificate, to ensure that only those who are completely vaccinated against COVID are sold liquor from licensed liquor vends.

    According to Khandwa district excise officer RP Kirar, in accordance with the instructions given at a recent meeting of the Khandwa district administration, it has been decided that the 74 licensed liquor shops (including the desi and Indian Made Foreign Liquor vends) will sell liquor only to those who are doubly vaccinated against COVID-19.

    “Not only have all the liquor vends operators been directed to sell liquor to only double vaccinated people, but they also have put a board outside their shop, informing about the new decision. But, the customers coming to these vends need not show proof of having been doubly vaccinated against COVID for being eligible to buy the liquor. Instead, the vends will sell liquor only on the basis of customer’s verbal submission about having been doubly vaccinated,” the Khandwa district excise officer said.

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    “Our personal experience tells that tipplers don’t lie and using that only we’ve decided that customers will not have to submit any proof of having been doubly vaccinated against COVID, but instead only verbally assure the liquor vend staff about having been completely vaccinated,” he maintained.

    Various districts, aiming to increase COVID-19 vaccination among people, are making complete vaccination compulsory for access to various services, including shopping malls and ration shops, besides entry only for completely vaccinated morning and evening walkers at parks in the country’s cleanest city Indore. Traders selling the famous Ratlami Sev (spicy snacks) in the Ratlam district have decided to sell only to those who prove they are doubly vaccinated. But not just verbal submission, instead proof of vaccination is a must for gaining access to various services.

    As per the latest figures, MP has so far administered over 7.88 crore jabs (5.05 crore-plus first doses and 2.82 crore-plus second doses) to the population eligible for a vaccination against COVID-19. Khandwa district has 13.86 lakh-plus jabs so far.

    According to a state government statement released on Wednesday, out of the targeted 5.49 core people who are to be completely vaccinated by end of 2021, 5.04 crore (92%) have been successfully given the first dose, 2.75 crores (50% of the targeted population) have been administered the second dose as well.

    The MP government had on Wednesday completely lifted all COVID-19 related curbs, including allowing the opening of all schools with full capacity.  

  • Not wearing mask amounts to crime in Madhya Pradesh: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    By PTI
    BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday said not wearing a face mask amounts to crime and appealed to people to follow appropriate “social behaviour” to check the spread of COVID-19.

    The surge in cases now is due to people lowering their guard, Chouhan said after starting a 24-hour ‘sit-in’ here to spread the awareness among people about following the COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

    The CM launched the “Swasthya Agrah” (health request) at the Minto Hall in Bhopal at 12.30 pm on Tuesday and during his 24-hour ‘sit-in’, he will interact with people online and conduct his official work from the venue.

    “Wearing masks and maintaining social distance are not in our habit. Besides these, we have to take other measures also to control the pandemic. So, I am sitting here for a moral request to make these things a part of people’s habit,” Chouhan told reporters.

    He said it is a “crime” if someone is not wearing a mask, because this also affects the health of others around that person.

    Chouhan said he launched an awareness campaign for wearing masks on Monday.

    “I ensured that me and my family wear masks. The word ‘mask’ means ‘mera aapka suraksha kavach’ (my and your safety shield),” he said.

    The coronavirus cannot be controlled only by government’s efforts, because the infection is being spread by (inappropriate) social behaviour, he said.

    “We are making efforts to arrange facilities to fight the pandemic at the government level, but the infection spread has to be stopped by (appropriate) social behaviour,” he said.

    Chouhan said people became complacent when the viral infection was brought under control in the country a few months back due to efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and launch of the vaccination drive.

    “This has again caused the spread.

    Lockdown is an easy solution, but I don’t consider it right.

    A limited lockdown is ok, but a permanent one is not a solution,” he said.

    The CM said self-discipline is necessary to prevent the spread of the infection, and urged people to wear masks, maintain social distance, wash hands and adopt other precautionary measures.

    Chouhan said his office will function during his 24- hour sit-in campaign.

    “I will review the COVID-19 situation in the state, talk to leaders of various sections of society and religious leaders on awareness about the disease and also hold a cabinet meeting, besides other works, during this Swasthya Agrah,” the chief minister said.

    Chouhan also said he has urged his party (BJP) workers not to come to the venue of his campaign so as to maintain social distance.

    The state government is also making efforts to take the help of volunteers, who can register themselves for assistance in the vaccination process, spread awareness about the prevention norms, and help patients in home and institutional quarantine, he said.