The government has issued an advisory stating that the states must make sure that COVID-related precautions are strictly followed during the festive season.

The advisory outlines several measures, such as promotion of online shopping and avoidance of unnecessary travel to prevent the infection rates from rising, as seen in several countries of late.

Some of the other measures suggested in the advisory include promotion of online modes of celebration; no mass gatherings in containment zones and districts where more than 5% of tests come out positive; close monitoring of gatherings with advance permission and limited attendees; following five pillars of COVID management; which include test, track, treat, vaccinate and follow COVID-appropriate behavior; etc.  

Union Health Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan, in a letter to states and UTs, stated that the standard operating procedures laid down last month to check any surge in cases must be followed… (NDTV, October 23)