New Delhi: As a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic rips through the country, the government on Monday said it is time people start wearing masks inside their homes as well, and refrain from inviting guests.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul said if there is a Covid-positive person inside the house, he or she must wear the mask so as to prevent other family members from getting infected.
"Rather, I'll say that the time has come that we start wearing masks even otherwise inside our homes. We used to talk about wearing it outside homes, but the way the infection has spread, it will be better if we wear mask inside our homes if we are sitting with someone," he said.
"But, definitely, if there is a COVID-19 positive person, that person must wear the mask and others inside the house also must wear a mask and the positive person should be kept in a different room," Paul underlined.
His statement came days after a new assessment published in The Lancet journal said there is consistent, strong evidence to prove that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, behind the COVID-19 pandemic, is predominantly transmitted through the air.
Paul added that people should also avoid stepping out of their houses unnecessarily and not invite guests at home.
He also suggested if the house lacks such facilities for isolation, then people may go to isolation centres.
Getting admitted to a hospital is not the only option, Paul said. "Hospital beds are used for the needy people."
Highlighting the importance of vaccination, Paul said, "We cannot let the pace of COVID-19 vaccination decline or slacken in the face of the emerging situation. In fact, it should be escalated and with that intent the government of India brought a revised (vaccination) policy. We believe and are confident that will bring in more acceleration," he said.
