Citizens across the city are alarmed at the lack of concrete action to combat the growing second wave of COVID-19 cases and are calling for tough measures to ensure people are complying with safety standards such as: B. wearing masks and maintaining physical distance.
With no restrictions and weak norm enforcement, people moving freely around the city without wearing masks or following physical norms of distance have become a common sight.
With the outbreak of the second wave, the district had an average of at least 350 new infections per day. This month, 28 people affected by COVID-19 died while on treatment.
In a letter to Prime Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, retired IAS commissioner EAS Sarma suggested that he make the wearing of masks mandatory in public places and fine those who break the rule a £ 2,000 fine. He also requested that officials not allow more than 30 people to attend any type of public gathering. He also suggested restrictions on interstate movement, as neighboring states also see an increase in infections.
“The RT-PCR test must be mandatory for passengers arriving in AP via airports, railways, interstate bus routes and private vehicles. The state should develop public health infrastructure by creating dedicated COVID hospitals with adequate beds, ventilators, oxygen supplies and other facilities in the intensive care unit. The previous system of security zones needs to be revitalized urgently, ”he said.
VS Krishna, a member of the AP&TS Coordinating Committee of the Human Rights Forum (HRF), called on the state government to effectively stop large religious communities, large gatherings and gatherings, and election campaigns.
“The government should take action to ensure that unorganized migrant workers do not suffer the suffering they suffered last summer. They should receive all basic amenities, and their economic well-being and safety should be adequately considered and ensured, ”said Krishna.
In the meantime, some people were looking for immediate restrictions on people who gather on Beach Road in the evening. “Beach Road is a place where people gather in great numbers. In such a situation, it is better to prevent people from entering the country at least on weekends and holidays, ”said Fr Vasu, a resident of Maddilapalem.
“Officials should ensure that COVID-19 safety standards are reintroduced in public transport. Overcrowding of auto rickshaws and jam-packed buses was a common sight despite the increase in cases. A curfew can be put in place to prevent public gatherings late at night. It would also raise awareness that the COVID-19 situation cannot be taken lightly, ”said Meghna M., a resident of Seethammadhara.
Many believe that the government should also put some restrictions on shopping malls and multiplexes where the distance between seats has already been fixed. The enforcement of thermal scanners, hand sanitizers in shopping malls, cinemas and public places should be monitored, said K. Padma of Mahila Chetana.