PM Modi to launch 'Jan Andolan' for COVID-19 awareness as India heads to festive season

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a COVID-19 public awareness campaign on October 8 in view of upcoming festivals and winter season even as coronavirus cases continue to mount while government pushes to open up a bruising ecomy.

'Jan Andolan for COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour' will be launched with aim to encour people’s participation (Jan Andolan) in disease prevention. It endeavours to be a low-cost high-intensity campaign with key messs of 'Wear Mask, Follow Physical Distancing, Maintain Hand Hygiene', PMO said in a statement.

As part of campaign, a COVID-19 pledge will be taken by participants led by PM Modi. A concerted action plan will be implemented by Central Government Ministries/Departments and State Governments/Union Territories with following highlights: 

• Region-specific targeted communication in high case-load districts
• Simple and easily understandable messs to reach every citizen
• Dissemination throughout country using all media platforms
• Banners and Posters at public places; involving Frontline workers and Targeting Beneficiaries of Government Schemes
• Hoardings/ wall paintings/ electronic display boards in government premises
• Involvement of Local and National influencers to drive home mess
• Running mobile vans for regular awareness generation
• Audio messs; pamphlets/ brochures on awareness
• Seeking support of Local Cable Operators for running COVID messs
• Coordinated media campaign across platforms for effective outreach and impact

“ Cabinet decided to launch a public campaign from tomorrow on coronavirus. Mask, social distancing, and washing hands are only weapons to remain safe, in absence of a COVID-19 vaccine. Campaign to raise awareness about se measures in public places will be kicked off soon,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a press conference after weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

He informed that as part of campaign, posters and banners for awareness will be put at Railway stations, planes, autorickshaw, metro, petrol pumps, school colleges, Anganwadi centres, housing societies, markets, police stations and government offices etc. A social media campaign will also be launched.

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READ | Health Ministry Issues Guidelines To Prevent Spread Of COVID-19 During Festive Season

Coronavirus outbreak

PM Modi's latest push to instil a sense of responsibility among citizens comes as India's COVID-19 tally crossed 67-lakh mark with a spike of 72,049 new cases and 986 deaths reported in last 24 hours, according to latest Union Health Ministry data. total number of detected cases stands at 67,57,132 including 9,07,883 active es. Thus far, 57,44,694 patients have recovered while 1,04,555 have succumbed to respiratory illness. 

Since imposition of a strict lockdown in late March, PM Modi has repeatedly appealed Indians to passionately observe disease prevention rms like staying home, avoiding public garing, wearing mask outdoors, social distancing and regularly washing hands. Although, after nearly seven months of pandemic's arrival in country, cases have skyrocketed in recent months as fatigue over such rms and a gradual opening of ecomy has made people complacent, a worry raised by government and experts warning of new infections overwhelming healthcare system.

Guidelines for festive season

On Tuesday, government issued Standard Operating Procedures on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 during upcoming festivals. In wake of various festivals such as Chhath Puja, Dussehra, Diwali, Durga Puja, Navratri, Christmas, etc. falling in months of October to December, Ministry stressed that festivity will be permitted in containment zones. Moreover, persons above 65 years of , persons with comorbidities, pregnant women and children below of 10 years have been advised to stay at home.

In Unlock 5 guidelines, Ministry of Home Affairs removed ceiling on number of people allowed to participate in garings in open s. However, functions in open s can be attended by a maximum of 200 persons.

READ | COVID-19: Union Min Javadekar Anunces SOPs For Reopening Of Cinema Halls Under Unlock 5

READ | Coronavirus: Central Govt To Launch Public Awareness Campaign From Oct 8 Amid Rising Cases