Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday warned that there are very high chances that daily infection rate of COVID-19 will once again surge in June and July and the best way ahead is to speed up the vaccination drive against the infection.
The comment comes at a time when Omicron BA.2 has become dominant across the world and BA.4 and BA.5 are leading another surge in South Africa.
He said the precaution dose was being given to frontline and health workers and the state government had sought financial aid from the Centre to administer it to other segments as well.
With Covid cases rising slightly, the health minister warned earlier this month that the state government might make it mandatory for people to wear face masks "If Covid-19 cases continue to rise, then we will have to make the wearing of masks compulsory," he said. "As of now, we have asked people to wear it voluntarily but if it (Covid cases) increases then will have to think about it," he added.