Face masks recommended in malls, theatres; hospitals told to gear up

BENGALURU: The Health Department has issued detailed guidelines to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the light of the upcoming festive season including Christmas and New Year celebrations. The guidelines were issued late on Thursday evening after Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai chaired a meeting with the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Health Department officials to take stock of the situation.

While stating that the Covid-19 situation is well under control in the state, the Health Department has issued separate guidelines for the general public, organisers of public events and medical institutions. As per the guidelines:

It is strongly advised to wear face mask, particularly the elderly and those with comorbidities in all indoor areas and closed places like pubs, bars and restaurants, cinema halls, buses, flights, trains including Metros, shopping malls, offices, etc.

All eligible are advised to take the precautionary dose of vaccination at the earliest.

All respiratory symptomatics needs to self-isolate and get tested immediately; based on the results, standard protocols should be followed.

To maintain good physical and mental health, moderate physical and breathing exercises and meditation may be practiced.

The department also listed out certain guidelines for organisers of public events to follow.

As far as possible public social activities/events shall be kept outdoor or in well ventilated areas and preferably in the day time, avoiding exposure to chill and cold in the early mornings and late evenings.

It is also advised to ensure face masks for indoor events and ensure maintenance of basic social distancing norms at such gatherings.

Congregation of large number of people, more so indoor areas, needs to be strictly avoided.

As far as preparedness of hospital, supply of vaccinations and testing of suspected cases, the department has listed out certain measures.

Testing and vaccinations

Covid testing is to be enhanced and in view of this, it is mandated that hospitals shall test all ILI/SARI cases detected.

Testing of all symptomatics should be ensured, especially the symptomatic contacts of  positive cases.

Districts and BBMP should make available adequate testing teams so that testing of symptomatics is not missed out.

The exercise of 2 per cent random testing of international arrivals at BIAL, Bengaluru, and Mangaluru airports shall continue and any further guidelines in the regard by GoI shall be followed.

All positive samples (ct value < 25) will be compulsorily sent for Whole Genome Sequencing.

The booster dose vaccination shall be accelerated, in line with supplies, so that the coverage shall be improved from exciting 20 pc  to 50 pc during December 2022-Jan 2023, by organising vaccination camps at all levels.

Public and private hospital preparedness

District hospitals and government hospitals shall make preparations to reserve a minimal number of isolation beds exclusively for Covid patients.

The health care facilities, both public and private, shall be prepared to manage any surge in Covid-19 cases.

The clinical preparedness off hospitals at district and taluk levels shall be assessed and readied in terms of oxygen supplies, drugs, beds and manpower.

All district and taluk hospitals have to undertake a dry run of their oxygen infrastructure regularly — preferably once in 15 days — to ensure oxygen sufficiency preparedness.

Compulsory face masking by all doctors and staff at health care facilities, including patients, caretakers and visitors.

All health care staff need to be advised to receive the precautionary dose of vaccination immediately.

The Health Department also said the state/district health authorities and BBMP should ensure that the guidelines are properly communicated to the public and event organisers for compliance.