Covid-19 patients must avoid going to polling centre: Telangana health department

Although the state election commission (SEC) has accorded permission for the Covid-19 patients to exercise their vote between 5 pm and 6 pm, the Telangana state department director G Srinivas Rao said that it would be better if the people suffering from cold, fever and cough to avoid going to polling booths, taking part in the campaigns and also polling duty.

He said that the state is witnessing a drop in the coronavirus cases and all need to be careful during the elections. The political parties are told to ensure all Covid-19 precautions and the patients can use the postal ballot option.

Taking part in the roadshows, gatherings in the view of the election without proper precautionary measures could increase the surge in cases drastically just like Bihar elections where several positive cases reported after polls. To ensure safe campaigning, the political parties have already been advised to use masks and sanitizers during the gatherings. They also directed to distribute masks and ensure availability of sanitizers and maintain social distancing.