Steps taken by the government to fight against COVID-19
Imposition of nationwide lockdown
- The government imposed a nationwide lockdown from March 25, 2020, to control the spread of the virus.
- The lockdown was extended multiple times until May 31, 2020, to ensure the virus is contained.
Production and distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Kits
- The government started the production of PPE kits in India to meet the increasing demand.
- Several organizations and individuals contributed to the production of PPE kits.
- The government ensured the distribution of PPE kits to healthcare workers, police personnel, and others involved in essential services.
Ramp up testing facilities
- The government increased testing facilities across the country to identify COVID-19 cases.
- The government approved the use of rapid antigen tests to increase testing capacity.
Increase hospital bed capacity
- The government increased hospital bed capacity to ensure the availability of treatment for COVID-19 patients.
- The government converted several public and private facilities into COVID-19 treatment centers.
Launch of Aarogya Setu App
- The government launched the Aarogya Setu app to track COVID-19 cases and notify users if they come in contact with a COVID-19 positive person.
- The app also provides information about COVID-19 and precautionary measures.
Public awareness campaigns
- The government launched several public awareness campaigns to educate people about COVID-19 and precautionary measures.
- The campaigns were aimed at reaching a wide range of audiences, including rural areas.
- The government also used social media platforms to spread awareness about COVID-19.
Financial assistance to vulnerable sections
- The government provided financial assistance to vulnerable sections of society, such as migrant workers and daily wage earners, who were affected by the lockdown.
- The government announced relief packages and distributed food and other essential items to the needy.
Vaccine distribution
- The government launched the world's largest vaccination drive against COVID-19 on January 16, 2021.
- The government is providing vaccines free of cost to healthcare and frontline workers.
- The government is also providing vaccines at a nominal cost to the general public.
Overall, the government has taken several steps to fight against COVID-19, including imposing a nationwide lockdown, increasing testing facilities, ramping up hospital bed capacity, launching public awareness campaigns, and providing financial assistance to vulnerable sections of society. The government's efforts have been successful in controlling the spread of the virus to a large extent.