Formation of flying squads to apply using masks: Radhakrishnan

Secretary of Health J. Radhakrishnan said on Thursday that like the Flying Squad for the election, the Health Department is taking measures to make flying squads to impose fines on those who do not wear masks.

With the fresh COVID-19 infection slowly growing across the state, the department is fully prepared to recover fines from those who violate safety norms. Individuals who do not wear masks or keep their masks in a pocket at any place where more than 20 persons are gathered will be fined. “People attending weddings, funerals, birthday parties and home events should wear masks. All these criteria will apply to the election meetings and it is necessary to wear masks, ”he said.

Shri Radhakrishnan said that the state has stepped up efforts to curb COVID-19. On Wednesday, Maharashtra registered 13,000 cases, while Punjab registered 1,300 cases. Although cases were slowly decreasing in the neighboring state of Kerala, the number was still around 2,400.

“About two weeks ago, we said that although the cases were below the 500-mark in Tamil Nadu, we were worried that the infection had not subsided and people were not wearing masks. We thought the figures would increase, and now, they are. Chennai, which was recording 150 cases, has now started reporting more than 275 cases. After inspecting at the central railway station, he told reporters that the cases were starting to get closer to 700-inches. He said the increase was a warning sign.

“We have adequate beds, oxygen supplies and medicines. Why should we allow matters to grow and then control? People should understand that we were only able to control the disease with their cooperation. The situation will not be the same as last year because we have medicines and vaccines, ”he said.

Noting that masking was zero in railway stations, the Health Secretary said that he held a meeting with the officials and the Railway Police on how to enforce compliance. “People are taking it very carelessly. Therefore, we want to expedite the measures at Tambaram, Central and Egmore railway stations. Temperature check will be mandatory, ”he said.

Cause for concern

He said there were some problematic areas, such as Tenampet and Kodambakkam, and many cases were mainly involved in housing societies and family events, including marriages.

In the marriage, the complaint not only lacked wear, but exceeded the capacity of the marriage hall, he said: “They can have 50% capacity or 600 persons. But there are 2,000 guests and there is no compliance of the mask.”

He said that some individuals for testing COVID-19 in private laboratories, were not disclosing their positive reports until the Greater Chennai Corporation identified them. Similarly, some of them approached private hospitals and obtained permission for house segregation. He said that government hospitals have adequate facilities to treat patients with COVID-19.

The Health Secretary said that standard operating procedures are not being followed properly in some places. For example, cleanliness was not being followed, he said that if such a violation was found then the officers would be acted upon.

The hotel association has come forward to get all persons over 45 years of age vaccinated. Similarly, staff at Marriage Hall can also be vaccinated. He said that out of 36 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines, Tamil Nadu has used only 11 lakh doses.