Chennai, Dec 29 (BPNS)
Tamil Nadu health department is gearing up for the possibility of an Omicron surge in the state with 45 confirmed cases and 118 samples of Covid -19 positive people showing presence of ‘S’ gene drop.
State health minister Ma Subramanian has already directed the state health department to create awareness among the people to abide strictly by Covid -19 protocol as studies have revealed less mask compliance in the state.
Ma Subramanian also called upon the state health department to jack up the health infrastructure to face any eventuality. Sources in the health department told BPNS that with schools and colleges functioning, the concerned corporations, municipalities, and village panchayats have been directed to utilize their facilities including wedding halls, theaters and convention halls to be converted as health camps if need arises.
State health minister while speaking to BPNS said, “There is a possibility of rising in cases but the state health department and the administration is ready for that . Chief Minister has already given us directions in this regard and we are in direct communication with the Union health ministry to tackle any untoward situation.”
Meanwhile, the minister called upon the people of Tamil Nadu to be in their homes for New Year’s eve and to conduct parties at their homes rather than venturing out given the situation related to Omicron cases.
However, hotel and restaurant owners of Chennai said that most of the hotels are full of bookings and a large number of people from Bengaluru and other towns of Karnataka and from all the South Indian states have arrived in large numbers in Chennai and Coimbatore to celebrate New Year.
Most of the Five-star hotels in Chennai have announced unlimited liquor as part of the New Year celebrations and nationally and internationally known bands are being hosted in most of the quality hotels in Chennai city.
A hotelier on conditions of anonymity while speaking to BPNS said, “ We will comply by the December 15th directive of the state government wherein there were no restrictions and we had taken bookings and all arrangements are in place for the big event and almost all the guests have arrived. How can we now go back on this? We will adhere to strict Covid -19 restrictions and move ahead unless the government issues an order against the same. If the government issues an order then we will immediately put a full stop to the celebrations.”
