FB launches Covid-19 broadcast tool

New Delhi SOCIAL media giant Facebook on Wednesday said it is expanding its 'Covid-19 Announcement' in India that will help health departments of states and union territories share essential Covid-19 related updates with their communities.

India is the second country after the US to launch this feature.

Facebook said it has partnered with 33 States and Union Territories to roll out this tool in their respective jurisdictions. "The Covid-19 Announcement feature will give health departments the ability to push out timely, credible Covid-19 and vaccine information to people in their local communities/ state jurisdictions. States will be able to issue these alerts Statewide or to specific cities within their state," it added. The roll out of the Covid-19 Announcement tool in India is part of the company's ongoing efforts to support the public health authorities' work to keep people safe and informed during the coronavirus public health crisis, it said.