Punjab government employees failing to take even the first dose of Covid vaccine for any reason other than medical will be compulsorily sent on leave after September 15.
This measure was announced on Friday by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh to protect the people of the state from the disease, and to ensure that those who are vaccinated do not have to pay the price for continued vaccine hesitancy of those who are not.
At the high-level virtual Covid review meeting held here, the Chief Minister said vaccine effectiveness is evident from the data being analysed. Special efforts were taken to reach out to Government employees, and those who continue to avoid getting vaccinated will now be asked to go on leave till they get the first dose.
Captain Amarinder also allowed teaching and non-teaching school staff who had taken at least one dose of vaccine more than four weeks ago to resume duties, subject to submission of weekly RTPCR negative test reports. However, all those with co-morbidities shall only be allowed once they are fully vaccinated, he added.
Citing the latest sero-survey, CM revealed that for children in the age group of 6-17 years, the positivity was at 60%, and it was higher in the age bracket of 14-17 years. It was spread equally across gender and place of residence, as per the survey, which has confirmed “that our children, even though affected by Covid, have remained largely safe from serious disease,” noted the Chief Minister.
Health Minister Balbir Sidhu urged the Chief Minister to ensure availability of sufficient vaccines to ensure vaccination of all eligible people before the festivals. The Chief Minister said he would pursue the matter with the Union Health Minister, who had earlier assured him of additional supplies. He directed the Health Department to ensure that all staff at sweetshops, kiosks, dhabas etc are vaccinated with at least one dose.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered extension of the existing Covid restrictions till September 30, in view of the upcoming festival season, with a limit of 300 on all gatherings, including political, and strict enforcement of wearing of masks as well as social distancing.
He also made it mandatory for organisers, including political parties, to ensure that participants, management and staff at food stalls etc in festival related events are fully vaccinated, or at least have had a single dose.
Calling for continued vigil in the light of the festivals, the Chief Minister urged all political parties to lead by example, while directing the DGP Dinkar Gupta to ensure compliance of restrictions by all. CM also directed Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan to make joint administration-police flying squads in each district to ensure compliance at restaurants, marriage palaces etc.
Chairing a virtual high-level Covid review meeting, the Chief Minister also directed the Department of Social Security to prepare to open Anganwari Centres within this month, making Punjab the first state to do so.
The opening of these centres will be subject to vaccination of staff and other guidelines to be worked out jointly with the Health Department. The Chief Minister also ordered increase in testing from the current 45,000/day to at least 50,000/day as part of the preparations for the possible third wave.