With the rise in active Covid cases in Dhanbad to 115, the district administration has decided to prevent gatherings of large number of people on picnic spots during New Year celebrations.

Section 144 has been imposed at all picnic spots, parks and open grounds of the district from the midnight of December 30 which will continue till January 2. This apart, wearing of masks in all clubs, hotels and restaurants besides picnic spots have been made mandatory.

Deployment of sufficient security forces have been made at all picnic spots and on roads to ensure the observance of all rules.

Special vehicle checking and mask checking drives have also been launched by the police at different spots of the district from today.

As an additional measure, the district administration has decided to carry out Covid sampling as well as a special vaccination drive at all picnic spots for two days beginning from tomorrow.

Sanjeev Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police said, “We have made all necessary arrangements to ensure the enforcement all guidelines with regard to Covid norms as well as prohibitory orders imposed under section 144 at picnic spots.”

Shyam Kishore Kant, Dhanbad Civil surgeon, while giving details about the health department's steps to prevent covid spread, said, “We will carry out covid sampling of all visitors as well as special vaccination drive at picnic spots."

“Kant also added that sampling and vaccination has started from today itself as the rush at the picnic spots was lesser as compared to yesterday.

Notably, 28 Covid cases were detected in Dhanbad yesterday, eight more than the 20 cases of day before yesterday (December 29) and the total number of active cases in the district at present stands at 115.

The district administration, during a meeting held yesterday under the chairmanship of Sandeep Singh, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner, decided to ramp up testing as well as step up vaccination drive while instructing the health department officials to ensure sample testing of every person within 24 hours of coming into contact with an infected person.

He further said that all infected persons will be admitted to the hospitals as there is no provision for home isolation at the moment.