Coronavirus | States told to consult Centre to impose lockdowns outside containment zones

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday issued recent pointers for “surveillance, containment and caution” in view of the surge in COVID-19 instances due to the continuing pageant season and onset of winter. The MHA has pressured that States ought to guarantee 80% contacts of all individuals discovered COVID-19 optimistic ought to be traced in 72 hours and their “tracking, identification, quarantine and follow up” for the following 14 days ought to be executed strictly.

The order issued on Wednesday is known as ‘Guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution’, which will probably be efficient from 1-31 December. The earlier order issued on October 27 relevant within the month of November was referred to as ‘Guidelines for reopening’. Before that, the orders issued beneath the Disaster Management Act, 2005 have been referred to as ‘Unlock guidelines’.

Coronavirus India, day 245 | Updates

The MHA stated that States and Union Territories (UTs), based mostly on their evaluation of the state of affairs, could “impose local restrictions” akin to “night curfew” with a view to comprise the unfold of COVID-19. “However, State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government,” MHA order stated.

The MHA stated that States want to implement social distancing in workplaces. “In cities, where the weekly Case positivity rate is in more than 10%, States and UTs concerned shall consider implementing staggered office timings and other suitable measures, with a view to reduce the number of employees attending office at the same time, thereby ensuring social distancing,” the order stated.

More than 92 lakh COVID-19 instances and 1.3 lakh deaths have been reported within the nation thus far.

The MHA stated the primary focus of the rules was to consolidate the substantial beneficial properties which have been achieved towards the unfold of COVID-19, which is seen within the regular decline in variety of lively instances within the nation. “Further, keeping in view the recent spike in new cases in few States/ UTs, ongoing festival season and onset of winter, it is emphasised that to fully overcome the pandemic, there is need to maintain caution and to strictly follow the prescribed containment strategy, focussed on surveillance, containment and strict observance of the guidelines,” it stated.

It reiterated that States ought to guarantee cautious demarcation of containment zones by the district authorities, on the micro stage, taking into account the rules prescribed by the Union Health Ministry on this regard. The listing of containment zones will probably be notified on-line by District Collectors.

“Only essential activities shall be allowed in the containment zones. There shall be strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services. There shall be intensive house-to-house surveillance by surveillance teams formed for the purpose. Testing shall be carried out as per prescribed protocol,” the order stated.

It requested for fast isolation of COVID-19 sufferers and that surveillance for “ILI/ SARI cases shall be carried out in health facilities or outreach mobile units or through fever clinics in buffer zones”.

“Awareness shall be created in communities on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. Local district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that the prescribed Containment measures are strictly followed and State/ UT Governments shall ensure the accountability of the officers concerned in this regard,” it stated.

The MHA stated that States and UTs could contemplate administrative actions, together with imposition of acceptable fines, on individuals not carrying face masks in public and work areas.

“For observance of social distancing in crowded places, especially in markets, weekly bazaars and public transport, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will issue a SOP, which shall be strictly enforced by States and UTs,” it stated.

International air journey of passengers continues to stay barred besides as permitted by MHA.

“Cinema halls and theatres, with up to 50 % capacity. Swimming pools, only for training of sports persons. Exhibition halls, only for business to business (B2B) purposes. Social/ religious/ sports/ entertainment/ educational/ cultural/ religious gatherings, with upto a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity, with a ceiling of 200 persons in closed spaces; and keeping of the size of the ground/ space in view, in open spaces,” the order stated. However, based mostly on their evaluation of the state of affairs, State governments could cut back the ceiling to 100 individuals or much less, in closed areas.

There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State motion of individuals and items, together with these for cross land-border commerce beneath treaties with neighbouring nations. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit could be required for such actions.