COVID vaccination for telecom warriors

COAI, the representative body for the Indian telecommunications industry, has written to Chief Ministers and Health Secretaries of states, urging them to prioritise Covid-19 vaccination for ‘telecom warriors.’ The telecom field force ensures that India’s telecommunications infrastructure always remains operational, which in turn helps keep the Indian economy running. COAI has sought the support of the State Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh etc. to consider Telecom Field Employees as Frontline Workers and consider them in the priority list for getting the vaccination.

Telephone and Internet Services already fall under the “Essential Services” category, as per orders and directives issued both by the Central and State Governments. When the nation is fighting the Covid-19 pandemic, the telecom industry has stepped up and ensured availability and continuity of telecom operations throughout the country.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic India’s ‘Telecom Warriors’ are keeping Indians connected. At a time when physical distancing is critical, the telecommunications sector is instrumental in access to healthcare services to work-from-home to online education. I urge the State Governments to prioritise Covid-19 vaccination for frontline workforce of telecom providers and ensure that India remains operational even as we fight this global pandemic,” says Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, Director General, COAI.

COAI also thanks the State/UT of Goa, Uttarakhand, Ladakh for categorizing telecom warriors as frontline workers and helping them to get the vaccination on priority.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the telecom warriors continue to work persistently to ensure uninterrupted service access for all. They are ensuring to keep us connected during isolation and helping to cater to increased demand and enabled provision of seamless services. It is impossible for people to function – conduct everyday business, bank, learn, utilize telehealth services and simply communicate, all while minimizing exposure – if the frontline workers had not been at the forefront. CT Bureau