The Union Ministry of the Interior published on Wednesday guidelines for surveillance, containment and precaution during the time of spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The Interior Ministry said the main focus of the guidelines is to consolidate the substantial gains that have been made against the spread of Covid-19, which is visible in the steady decline in the number of active cases in the country.
One of the points of the new guidelines, which will go into effect on December 1, is to empower states to impose local restrictions, including night curfew. The guidelines will remain in effect until December 31.
“The states and territories of the union (UT), according to their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, with a view to containing the spread of Covid-19, such as the night curfew,” the Interior Ministry said in a release.
However, the state and UT governments cannot impose the local blockade outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the central government, the statement added.
“Municipal, police and local district authorities will be responsible for ensuring that prescribed containment measures are strictly followed,” the Interior Ministry said.
The government had for the first time imposed a nationwide lockdown to control the spread of the coronavirus disease in March. After 21 days, the duration of the block continued to increase when the infection was at its peak.
The first set of relaxations (called Unlock 1.0) was announced in June, leading to the opening of restaurants, shopping malls, etc. Since then, the government has been opening up the economy in phases.
But with the recent spike in the number of new Covid-19 cases in various cities, there are fears that the disease will resurface. Experts have also warned that the situation could get worse in winters. Therefore, the government has warned people not to lower their guard and urged people to follow Covid-19 protocols.
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