Chennai: Despite several States declaring that wearing a mask is not mandatory after the lifting of Covid-19 regulations by the Centre, Tamilnadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian has appealed to the people of the State to continue follow protocols to stop another wave.
‘Many States have said the wearing of a mask isnāt mandatory. We are aware of that. But given that many countries are reporting an increasing number of Covid-19 cases, we need to be on the guard. We canāt afford to lose guard now and suffer later,’ he said.
The Minister added: ‘We have achieved more than 92 per cent vaccination of first dose and nearly 76 per cent vaccination of the second dose. While we encourage all people to take two doses of vaccine, we are saying it is not mandatory to show vaccination certificates to enter public spaces such as malls. We are also encouraging people to wear masks and maintain social distance in public spaces as we know the threat still exists.’
Subramanian also said that organ donation had slowed down across the country in the last two-and-a-half years and steps were taken to improve organ donation and transplantations in the State.
He also said close to 800 nurses, who worked at the peak of the pandemic, will be given jobs when fresh vacancies arise or new programmes are introduced.