Covid: Centre asks states to restrict public observance of festivals, limit or stop gatherings

The government on Wednesday asked states and union territories to consider imposing local restrictions in view of upcoming festivals amid surge in Covid-19 cases in some parts of the country. In a letter to state chief secretaries and union territory administrators, Additional Secretary in the Health Ministry Arti Ahuja stated that the battle against Covid-19 is at a critical juncture with rising number of cases and deaths being reported from many parts in the recent past.