HYDERABAD: In a fresh push to vaccinate all against Covid, the state health department has now recommended that only those who have received their first dose be allowed entry into public places such as parks, malls, theatres, pubs and government offices in Hyderabad.
If approved by the government, this rule is likely to come into effect at the end of this month, according to health department sources.
“The proposal will be first implemented in Hyderabad as 90% of city population has received their first dosage,” an official said.
Telangana has been given 1.1 crore doses by the Centre for September and October. Apart from Hyderabad and neighbouring districts, in most districts the first dose has not even touched 80%. The health department is now trying to ensure that at least 80% of the population in each district receives their first vaccination before Dasara.
“Many people are hesitant to take the vaccine in districts. Therefore, the rule is being proposed to be implemented only in Hyderabad for now. Once the rule is in place in the city, others will come to take the jab,” an official stated.
With schools being opened in the state since September 1, chief secretary Somesh Kumar has directed staff to go all out to speed up the vaccination drive.
Earlier, the GHMC launched a house-to-house contact effort in the last week of August in approximately 4,856 colonies.
In Hyderabad district, 28.9 lakh have received their first dose out of 39.9 lakh. In GHMC areas of Hyderabad, Rangareddy and Medchal, a total of 24.2 lakh have received both doses, while while 64.5 lakh are yet to take the second shot.
