Despite the
continuous spike in Covid-19 cases that Telangana has been witnessing, Health Minister Etala Rajender today made clear the fact that the state government had no plans of imposing either a fresh lockdown or curfews curtailing movement any time soon.
After a review meeting with the concerned officials regarding the implementation of containment measures, the minister said that the government was in the process of increasing the daily Covid-19 tests to about one lakh.
Rajender further stated, "In spite of the rise in the number of reported cases, a majority of Telangana's people are safe from Covid-19. We have alerted the people residing in border regions about the possible threat posed by the disease already, and are taking all the necessary precautions to prevent its spread. Currently, there is no need to impose a lockdown, therefore."
He then appealed to the private hospitals in the state to avoid fishing in troubled waters, and said, "Please do not treat the outbreak as an opportunity to make money. When people come to healthcare institutions for tests or treatment, please do not overcharge them. You must collect the fees that have been set by the government. The cost of one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine is Rs 250, and no hospital is allowed to charge more than this stipulated amount. Hospitals and doctors should offer services on humanitarian grounds and stop looting people. Or, the government will be forced to take action against them."
The minister also instructed the people to follow the Covid-19 safety guidelines strictly. He said that the vaccine would be given to those aged 45 and above, and assured the people that the government had made all the necessary arrangements to fight the spread of the disease, and added, "The state has adequate facilities to test, trace and treat the people. We plan to further increase testing. Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has instructed health officials to improve treatment and testing facilities. We are also trying to speed up the vaccination process. So, please do not panic. Instead, cooperate with our efforts and remain alert. We must all take care to adhere to the required safety guidelines as well."