Unique way to fight COVID-19: Tripura to distribute Vitamin C-rich fruits to its people

As part of a public immunity boosting programme, Vitamin C- rich fruits like pineapples and lemons, would be distributed in the urban areas of Tripura for a month.

By: Longjam Dineshwori | Edited by: Longjam Dineshwori | | Published: July 2, 2020 10:00 am

Fruits, especially pineapples and lemons, would be distributed every Saturday at sub-divisional offices and local urban bodies.© Shutterstock

If you visit Tripura now, you may be offered pineapple or lemon juice for free. This is not a welcome gesture but a new strategy to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far infected 1,388 people in the state and killed one person. In order to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Tripura government has decided to distribute Vitamin C- rich fruits and juices to people living in urban areas. This is to boost their immunity, which is crucial to fight the viral disease. Also Read - Add oatmeal and vitamin C-rich foods to your diet to bring down your risk of type 2 diabetes

Quoting Tripura’s Law and Education Minister Ratan Lal Nath, IANS reported that the state government will be spending Rs. 1 crore to implement the “Programme for boosting public immunity in the urban areas in COVID-19”. The distribution process will begin from July 4 and continue for a month. The fruits, especially pineapples and lemons, would be distributed every Saturday at sub-divisional offices and local urban bodies. Also Read - Boost your immunity amid the COVID-19 pandemic with fruits that have more vitamin C than oranges

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in a tweet said that that the scheme will be closely monitored by the National Urban Livelihood Mission at the grassroots level. Deb, who also holds the health department portfolio, said that the fruits would be directly purchased from the farmers so that they could also get benefits. Also Read - Overdosing on vitamins can cause severe toxicity and more

The SHGs (Self-Help Groups) and urban local bodies including municipal corporations and municipal councils will be engaged in the distribution process.

Tripura is known for its pineapples. The state annually produces 1.30 lakh tonnes pineapples. It also exports the fruit to Dubai, Kuwait, Bangladesh and several other countries.

India enters unlock 2.0: What is allowed and what is not

India started unlock 2.0 on Wednesday, allowing almost all activities outside containment zones, excluding schools, colleges and international travel. However, there have been not many changes for containment zones. The central government’s new guidelines, which came into effect from July 1, will be in force till July 31. Here are some key points from the new guidelines:

Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed till July 31
Domestic flight operations will open more, but ban on normal international operations will continue
Night curfew timings extended from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/religious functions and other large congregations remain barred
Metro Rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places remain closed

Meanwhile, the total confirmed cases has reached 5,85,493 and as many as 17,400 deaths have been reported from across the country, as per the Union Health Ministry website. At present there are 2,20,114 active cases and 3,47,978 people have so far recovered, the Health Ministry said.

Considering the rapidly rising coronavirus cases in the national capital, Delhi government has set up a 500-bed Covid Care Centre at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) Village. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday reviewed the centre, which will be attached to the LNJP Hospital.

With inputs from IANS

Published : July 2, 2020 10:00 am

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