23-05-2025
A.P. Govt. issues COVID guidelines; public asked to wear masks in crowded places
With the surfacing of COVID cases in the country and neigbouring States of Andhra Pradesh, the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare has issued a set of guidelines, one of which asks the public to wear a mask 'compulsorily' in crowded places and while travelling.
As of May 19, there are no Coronavirus cases in the State, according to an official release from the department issued late on May 21. However, in view of the country reporting 257 cases (as of May 19), most of which are from Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, guidelines have been issued for the public.
If any person experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, throat pain, they should visit the nearest health clinic. If a person experiences these symptoms after returning from places where the cases are on a rise, they should mandatorily get tested for COVID. They should also isolate themselves for a week.
Masks are a must in crowded public places, including malls, theatres, bus and railway stations, and frequent hand-washing is advised. People with comorbidities, pregnant women, children aged below five and elderly people have been asked to cut down their visits to public places.
Meanwhile, Director of Public Health and Family Welfare K. Padmavathi told The Hindu that there is a person symptomatic of COVID in Visakhapatnam. 'Today morning, we received information that a 23-year-old woman in Visakhapatnam has tested positive for COVID, along with malaria. But the tests were conducted by a private lab. We have sent her samples to government labs for confirmation,' she said, adding that the woman is stable. The woman does not have any travel history.
Regarding surveillance of incoming passengers at airports, Dr. Padmavathi said testing kits have been arranged at some airports in the State and screening is happening on a small scale. At present, there are no restrictions on travelling to other States, where cases are more.
She said as per information received from other States, the infections are of mild nature and there is no need for alarm. 'However, it is better to visit the nearest clinic on the first day of presenting of the symptoms for a faster treatment,' said Dr. Padmavathi.
The department will take decisions regarding setting up of isolation wards in hospitals, among other things, as per an action plan that will be made after a zoom conference on May 23.
