TS Lokayukta call to enforce Covid-19 guidelines in view of Omicron threat

Hyderabad: The Lokayukta in Telangana has directed the health, police and municipal authorities to ensure strict compliance of Covid safety norms on roads and public places, in view of hints that a rise in Covid infections is likely as new variants like Omicron are surfacing.

Taking suo motu action after observing that the citizens are not following Covid guidelines and there is lack of monitoring by the authorities, the Lokayukta held discussions with officials of the traffic police and health departments.

It was decided at the meeting that the DGP and various police commissionerates in the city be asked to ensure implementation of the protocols like wearing of masks and maintenance of social distance in public places.

The Lokayukta suggested that the police deploy a head constable and a constable in all jurisdictions solely for patrolling so as to ensure the protocols are adhered to by the public especially in the evening hours between 6 and 10pm.

The Lokayukta will hold a hearing on December 17 with officials to review the Covid safety measures. The health, police and municipal authorities were asked to issue instructions within their departments to focus on Covid-related public safety.

The Lokayukta has stressed it is difficult to contain the virus if strict implementation of the precautions is not ensured. Youngsters are not wearing masks and smoking openly in large gatherings near tea stalls and food joints, it observed.