Dharamshala, 5^th August: The Covid R-value, a vital sign of the disease that indicates virus reproduction number, has reached 1.2 in India, up from 0.66 at the end of June and 0.88 in mid-July. With Himachal Pradesh, the number has surpassed one in eight states.

The government of Himachal Pradesh reintroduced a negative RT-PCR test report for tourists entering the state on Wednesday. Tourists who have had one or both Covid vaccination shots and have the certificate will also be allowed access. The decision was made in light of the rising number of Covid cases in the state. In a notification, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi suggested that the RT-PCR negative report be no more than 72 hours old. The limits will be in effect until further orders are issued.

According to the report, flagrant violations of Covid standards have been observed in many sections of the state, particularly in public transportation and public spaces. Massive crowds have been seen swarming the marketplaces, transgressing societal conventions. The notification specifies that if the Covid standards are not followed at any establishment, that establishment will be subject to legal action under the applicable legislation. Hem Raj Bairwa, Director of the National Health Mission, stated, “The notification is not mandatory. But if an increase in Covid cases is observed in coming days, these conditions can be made mandatory”.

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