Ensure Physical Distancing And Mask Up Even If Fully Vaccinated: Urges Govt’s Chief Scientific Advisor

New Delhi: Even as 18 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in India, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the central government, K Vijay Raghavan, on Saturday urged people to continue to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour. 

“Very important, whether vaccinated or not: Masks, physical distancing, ventilation,” the government’s chief scientific advisor tweeted on Saturday morning as he asked people not to let their guard down.

“These interventions are also immediately critical for lowering pressures on the healthcare system, during this surge. Adherence essential at the personal and community levels. By all.”

He had earlier also cautioned about the inevitable third wave of COVID infection.  “Phase 3 is inevitable given the higher levels of circulating virus, but it is not clear on what time-scale this phase three will occur. We should be prepared for new waves,” the Principal Scientific Advisor to the central government had said.

Raghavan had added that although vaccines are efficacious against new mutations like the UK one and the double mutant, surveillance and vaccine updates are needed as the virus mutates further.