Coronavirus India Updates: India To Allow Covid-19 Vaccination At Workplaces For Those Eligible

India will expand its Covid-19 inoculation drive and allow vaccines to be administered at private and public workplaces that have more than 100 eligible beneficiaries.

Vaccination will still be limited to those above 45 years of age, according to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The Centre has told states to launch the drive from April 11, 2021.

“In order to increase the access of vaccine to these populations, Covid-19 vaccination sessions may be organised at workplaces which are having about 100 eligible and willing beneficiaries by tagging these workplaces with an existing Covid vaccination centre,” Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote in a letter to states and union territories.

According to the guidelines, a district task force chaired by a municipal commissioner will identify the workplaces for vaccination after discussions with employees and the head of offices. A nodal officer will be appointed to oversee and facilitate the complete process.

Only the employees over 45 years of age will be eligible. No outsiders, including eligible family members of employees, will be allowed for vaccination at the workplaces.

Follow all key developments around the Covid outbreak in India here.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has removed restrictions on home delivery of food and other essential supplies in Mumbai.

All online home deliveries—e-commerce and through providers like Zomato and Swiggy—will be allowed round-the-clock on all days of the week, an order signed by the Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Chahal said.

The Maharashtra government, in its latest set of restrictions, had barred deliveries from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. due to the rise of Covid-19 cases in the state.

Besides deliveries, the BMC clarified that during the weekend lockdown road side food stalls will only be allowed to provide parcel and take away services. No person will be allowed to stand and consume at the stall.

The municipal body also said that students and candidates that have to attend various exams will be allowed to travel during the weekend lockdown if they show a valid hall ticket. They are allowed to be accompanied by one guardian.

Movement of maids, cooks, drivers and other house help has also been allowed between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on all days.

Eye clinics and opticians will be allowed to remain open within the time specified by the Maharashtra government, the order said.

India reported a record number of fresh Covid-19 infections, once again, as the country battles a second wave of the pandemic.

More than 1.15 lakh people tested positive for coronavirus in the last 24 hours, according to the Health Ministry’s update as of 8:00 a.m. on April 7. The ministry also reported nearly 60,000 recoveries and 630 deaths in the same period.

Active cases crossed 8.4 lakh for the first time since October last year.

Serum Institute of India may resume exports of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccines by June, Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla told the Associated Press. But the resumption will depend on India’s demand for the vaccine, he warned, especially with the surge in cases during the second wave.

Maharashtra accounts for 58% of all covid cases and 34% of total deaths due to coronavirus in the country, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

“Of the 10 districts with most number of cases, 7 are from Maharashtra,” he said.

The Health Secretary also flagged off Chhattisgarh as a cause for concern in the second wave of infections. “Chhattisgarh despite being a small state reports 6% of total Covid cases and 3% of total deaths in the country,” he said.

50 high-level milti-disciplinary public health teams have been deployed to districts reporting a surge in cases and mortality to assist local authorities in surveillance, control and containment measures. The teams will visit 30 districts of Maharashtra, 11 districts of Chhattisgarh and 9 districts of Punjab.