“Crowds without masks in hill stations and markets are a cause of concern,” says Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

New Delhi: Recent images from hill stations and city markets – of large crowds without face masks and zero social distancing – are a “cause for concern”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Tuesday, as he underlined the need to follow Covid protocols to ward off a potential third wave of infections.

Addressing a virtual meeting of chief ministers from the eight northeastern states, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of adhering to basic rules – wearing of face masks when in public, avoiding large gatherings, and ensuring vaccination – to prevent a third wave of COVID-19 cases.

“It is true that tourism, business and business have been greatly affected due to coronavirus… but today I will say very emphatically that it is not okay to have huge crowds in hill stations and markets without wearing masks,” Prime Minister Modi said.

“The virus does not come and go on its own… we bring it with us when we disobey the rules. Experts are warning us repeatedly that careless behaviour – like overcrowding – will lead to an increase in Covid cases,” he said.

“Steps should be taken to prevent crowds… We all need to work together to stop the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the need to ensure rapid and widespread vaccination – a subject that has made headlines with rows over vaccine prices and states complaining of a lack of doses.

He also red-flagged the increase in cases in the northeastern states; last week central government data showed 47 of India’s 73 districts with a positivity rate of over 10 per cent were from the northeast.

He said stricter “micro-level” steps were needed to check the spread of the virus in those districts, and called for greater emphasis on micro-containment zones. The Assam model – Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma plans to create around 6,000 of these instead of a lockdown – was highlighted.