PM Modi stresses on improving infra in NE to combat COVID

He stressed the need to accelerate the vaccination programme in order to combat the impending third wave.
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NEW DELHI:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a virtual interaction with the Chief Ministers of all the northeastern states to review the COVID-19 status in the region.


During his interaction, he said that there is a need to focus on improving the infrastructure related to testing and treatment.

He also stressed the need to accelerate the vaccination programme in order to combat the impending third wave.


"The 'Free Vaccine' campaign run by the central government has equal importance in the North East. To combat the third wave, we have to keep speeding up the process of vaccination," he stated.


The prime minister also informed that the cabinet had recently approved a new package of Rs 23,000 crore. This package will help every state of the northeastern region to strengthen its health infrastructure.


While expressing concern over crowds at hill stations, he said that even though he realises that tourism and business have been greatly affected due to COVID, there is still a need to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour.


"But today I will say very emphatically that it is not okay to have huge crowds in hill stations, markets without wearing masks," he said.


According to experts, most parts of the country have seen a steady decline in the number of cases but the northeastern states have been a cause of concern with the number of cases either rising or not falling in line with the nationwide trend, he added.


He said that some districts of the northeast are in a grave COVID-19 situation and that there is a need to stay alert and take quick actions to contain the further spread of the virus.

(Edited by Aparmita Das)

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