MAPUSA
With an aim to start physical classes for children of Classes X and XII, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said the State government has requested the Centre to reduce the Covid vaccination gap between the two doses for the teaching and non-teaching staff in schools.
“We have written to the Central government asking to reduce the vaccination gap between the two doses for the teaching and non-teaching staff from 84 days to 30 days. Once we get approval from the union health ministry we will be vaccinating the teaching faculty on priority,” Sawant said.
He further informed that the government will be able to start physical classes at least for children of class X and XII only after 100 percent of the teachers and school staff get vaccinated with both doses.
He said although the State government was targeting 100 percent of the vaccination with the second dose by September 30, priority would be given to vaccinate a maximum number of teaching and non-teaching staff for the safety of school children.
“We are concerned about our children. Since the third wave is expected to affect the children, we are taking extra precaution for the sake of their safety and therefore want a maximum number of teaching faculty and other school staff to get vaccinated,” he said.
BICHOLIM CORRESPONDENT ADDS: Speaking at a function in Sakhali organised by Colgate Palmolive (India) to provide ambulances for Sakhali and Ponda Community Health Centres, the CM said 90 per cent of the people in the State had taken the first dose and appealed to the remaining population to take their vaccine so that 100 per cent vaccination is achieved by July 30.
He lauded the many social organisations and private companies who had extended a helping hand through various means during the Covid pandemic
Others present at the function included Director of Health Services Dr Jose D’Sa, Sankhali CHC Health Officer Dr Uttam Desai, Ponda CHC Superintendent Dr Vikas Kuvelkar, Colgate plant manager Vijay Guhe, Kamat Automobiles Ltd MD Prashant Kamat, Sakhali ZP Gopal Surlakar and SMC councillors Shubhada Sawaikar, Anand Kanekar, Rashmi Desai and Yeshwant Madkar.
