MHA Covid-19 Guidelines: The Center on Monday extended the Covid containment guidelines that it had issued prior to January 31, 2021.
In view of the increase in Covid cases, the Center had issued new rules for the containment of Covid on November 25, where several previously given relaxations had been withdrawn.
the November guidelines issued by the Ministry of the Interior (MHA) had allowed states to impose night curfews, put any number of “local restrictions”, keep gatherings at social events to less than 100, punish people for not wearing masks, and even issue local lockdown orders with the approval of the Center.
In an order issued Monday, the ministry said it was extending the “Guidelines for Surveillance” until January 31, 2021.
“While there has been a continuous decline in active and new cases of COVID-19, vigilance, containment and caution are necessary, taking into account the increase in cases globally and the emergence of a new variant of the virus. in the U.S. Kingdom (United Kingdom), ”said a statement issued by the MHA.
The new MHA order has said that, as before, containment zones will be carefully demarcated where perimeter control will be established. It has also asked states to ensure that appropriate Covid behavior is promoted and strictly enforced; and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are scrupulously followed for permitted activities.
“Therefore, the focus on surveillance, containment and strict compliance with the guidelines / SOP issued by the MHA and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), as provided in the Guidelines issued on 11/25/2020 ; they must be strictly enforced by the States and the UTs ”, says the order.
The MHA has also asked states to be more vigilant due to the New Year celebrations. “It is also necessary to maintain strict surveillance to avoid a further increase in cases following the upcoming New Year celebrations and the ongoing winter season, which are favorable for the spread of the virus. In this regard, state / UT governments can take appropriate action, ”Interior Secretary Ajay Bhalla said in a letter addressed to all states.
It has also asked the states to guarantee the support of all authorities interested in the deployment of the Covid vaccine.
“The National Group of Experts on the Administration of Vaccines for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) recommended prioritizing this vaccine during the initial phases to health workers, front-line workers, people 50 years and older and under 50 years with comorbidities . The States / UT can instruct the interested authorities for their active support to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in the identification, preparation of the database, delivery of vaccines, storage, security, shipment and vaccination of beneficiaries ” says Bhalla’s letter.
It has also reminded the states Order of December 18 of the Supreme Court where the states were asked strictly enforce Covid containment guidelines and take action against violators.
“I would like to re-emphasize that the essence behind the gradual reopening and progressive resumption of activities is to move forward. However, there is a concomitant need to exercise due care. States / UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions with a view to containing the spread of COVID-19, such as a night curfew. However, there will be no restrictions on the interstate and intrastate movement of people and goods, including those destined for cross-border trade under treaties with neighboring countries, ”Bhalla said.
Before the November 25 guidelines reimposed some restrictions, the Center had lifted the nationwide night curfew that it imposed on July 29. Through five unblocking guidelines since May, the Center had removed most restrictions on movement and public activity, excluding international air travel and use of swimming pools for recreation.
Even schools had been reopened and social, political and religious gatherings were allowed with a maximum limit of 200 people in an enclosed space.
The November guidelines later marked the offices as spaces for the spread of the coronavirus and asked states to stagger office hours.
“The states and UT also need to reinforce social distancing in offices. In cities, where the weekly case positivity rate is greater than 10 percent, interested states and UTs should consider implementing staggered office hours and other appropriate measures, with a view to reducing the number of employees attending to the office at the same time, thus ensuring social distancing, ”the guidelines said.
For containment zones, the guidelines had issued detailed instructions.
“There will be intensive house-to-house surveillance… The tests will be carried out according to the prescribed protocol. The contact list will be held for all individuals who test positive, along with their tracking, identification, quarantine, and tracking of contacts for 14 days (80 percent of contacts will be tracked within 72 hours).
Prompt isolation of COVID-19 patients will be ensured in treatment facilities / at home (subject to adherence to home isolation guidelines). Clinical interventions will be administered as prescribed. The surveillance of ILI / SARI cases will be carried out in health establishments or mobile extension units or through fever clinics in buffer zones, ”the guidelines stated.
.
