Covid meet: PM Modi urges wearing masks and increased testing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a high-level meeting Thursday on COVID-19, urged the need for strengthened surveillance with a focus on genome sequencing, increased testing, and masks in crowded public places.

"Follow Covid-appropriate behaviour at all times, including wearing masks at crowded places, especially in view of upcoming festivals," the PM said.

He also stressed on the need for the 'precautionary dose', especially for vulnerable and elderly groups.


During the meeting, Modi directed officials to ramp up testing and also genomic sequencing efforts.

States have been asked to share a larger number of samples with the designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (lGSLs) for genome sequencing on a daily basis, the PMO said.

This will support timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country and facilitate undertaking requisite public health measures, it said.

Prime Minister Modi cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigil.

He advised states to audit Covid-specific facilities to ensure operational readiness of hospital infrastructure, including oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators and human resources.

During the high-level meeting on Covid-19, PM Modi was informed that there is adequate availability with regard to medicines, vaccines, and hospital beds.

He advised regular monitoring of the availability and prices of essential medicines.

Prime Minister Modi was briefed that India has been witnessing a steady decline in cases with average daily cases falling to 153 and weekly positivity down to 0.14 per cent in the week ending December 22.

However, 5.9 lakh daily average cases have been reported globally since the last six weeks.

Highlighting the globally appreciated work of frontline healthcare workers, Prime Minister Modi exhorted them to continue working in the same selfless and dedicated manner.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra, NITI Aayog CEO Parameswaran Iyer, Member (Health) NITI Aayog V K Paul, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Advisor PMO Amit Khare, Home Secretary A K Bhalla, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, among others.

With inputs from agencies