AGRA: Petrol pumps in Agra district will from now on ask for proof of Covid vaccination before selling fuel to customers. In case a driver is not vaccinated, volunteers at the petrol pump will request them to get the jab and warn that fuel won't be sold to them in future.
Besides, gas agencies will not provide home delivery of LPG cylinders to unvaccinated consumers. There are 1,01,281 registered domestic LPG connections in Agra district and over 20 lakh registered vehicles.
District magistrate Prabhu N Singh said, “The initiative has been taken after a discussion with petrol pump and gas agency owners. It is aimed at increasing vaccination coverage. With Covid restrictions being eased, people ignore the importance of vaccination in fighting the infection. The Omicron variant of Covid is emerging as a new threat. We need to ensure 100% vaccination. Therefore, some strict measures need to be taken.”
Singh added: "All petrol pump owners will be appointing a volunteer to check Covid-19 vaccination status of people coming to the outlets. Customers can show a picture of their Covid certificate. A text message as proof of vaccination will also be accepted. Service to the vaccinated people will be given on priority basis. Home delivery of LPG cylinders will also stop for the unvaccinated. They will have to pick up their cylinders from depots on their own.”
According to the health department data, out of 31.20 lakh people above 18 years of age in Agra district, 11,50,415 had received both doses of the vaccine till November 29 while over 25 lakh had received just the first dose.
This is not the first time that restrictions have been put on unvaccinated people in UP. Last week, Aligarh district administration made it mandatory for people to get vaccinated with at least one dose to receive subsidised ration under the public distribution scheme (PDS). Earlier, liquor sellers in Saifai sub-division of Etawah district had placed posters outside shops that read: ‘Alcohol will only be sold to those with Covid vaccination certificates’. Last month, the Madhya Pradesh government had announced subsidised ration will not be provided to those without proof of vaccination.
