- Monday, November 25, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
THE government of the southern Indian state of Kerala on Tuesday (30) said that it will not provide free treatment to those Covid-19 patients who have not been vaccinated. The decision was to encourage more people to get jabbed amid the growing concern over the Omicron variant of the deadly virus that has killed millions worldwide.
According to a report in The Indian Express, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan attended a review meeting following which he said free treatment would not be extended to patients who do not cooperate with the state’s Covid-control measures.
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“The government will not bear treatment costs for those who haven’t taken vaccine shots. Those who are reluctant to take the vaccine on account of allergy or any disease should produce a certificate issued by a doctor in government service,’’ the chief minister of India’s only Left-ruled state said.
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He said government employees and teachers who have not been inoculated need to produce the doctor’s certificate. He added that if they are not vaccinated, they need to undertake a self-paid RT-PCR test every week and submit the reports to authorities.
Vijayan said the rule is mandatory for the office-goers and that the steps taken will ensure safety of students in schools and colleges, the Express added.
The chief minister reportedly asked the state health department to improve vigil in the wake of the threat posed by Omicron. He also instructed officials to closely examine the travel history of international passengers at airports and take steps as per protocol.
Vijayan also said that representatives of the local self-governing bodies in Kerala should ensure that the eligible population in their respective areas get the jab.
A special vaccination drive would also be organised for a fortnight starting Wednesday (1).
