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Written by Deeptiman Tiwary
| New Delhi |
Updated: November 25, 2020 8:21:36 pm
Crowd at Chandpole Bazar in Jaipur, Nov 21, 2020. Some states have imposed curfews in major cities and other Covid affected areas.(PTI Photo)In view of rising Covid-19 cases across the country, the Centre Wednesday issued fresh guidelines for virus containment, giving states some crucial elbow room to put restrictions on public movement and gatherings.
The new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have allowed states to impose night curfews, put any number of “local restrictions”, keep gatherings at social events to less than 100, impose fine on people for not wearing masks and even issue orders for local lockdowns with the Centre’s approval.
“States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19 such as night curfew. 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,” guidelines issued by the MHA said.
It has, however, reiterated that states cannot seal borders. “There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods including those for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements,” the guidelines read.
The Centre has reiterated the restrictions imposed and relaxations given in the last lockdown guidelines but have given the freedom to states to restrict public gatherings.
“Social/ religious/ sports/ entertainment/ educational/ cultural/ religious gatherings, with upto a maximum of 50 per cent 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 (is permitted). However, based on their assessment of the situation, State/ UT Governments may reduce the ceiling to 100 persons or less, in closed spaces,” the guidelines read.
Notably, several states have already proposed to put such restrictions with Delhi government even having issued orders to restrict gatherings at weddings up to 50. States such as Maharashtra have also started putting restrictions on those coming from outside the state asking for negative RT-PCR test results.
Large crowd at Chaura Bazar in Ludhiana. The government has said the fine for not following Covid-appropriate behaviour shall be hiked to Rs 1000 from the present Rs 500. (Express photo by Gurmeet Singh)
The guidelines have also flagged offices as spaces for the spread of coronavirus and asked states to stagger office timings.
“States and UTs also need to enforce social distancing in offices. In cities, where the weekly Case Positivity Rate is in more than 10 per cent, States and UTs concerned shall consider implementing staggered office timings and other suitable measures, with a view to reducing the number of employees attending office at the same time, thereby ensuring social distancing,” the guidelines read.
For containment zones, the guidelines have issued detailed instructions. Along with strict perimeter control and allowing essential activities within them, the Centre has asked states to focus on contact tracing of all contacts of a Covid positive person within 72 hours.
“Though contact tracing was always part of the process, in some states this is not being done with the rigour that it requires. That is why this matter had to be emphasised,” a home ministry official said.
“There shall be intensive house-to-house surveillance …Testing shall be carried out as per prescribed protocol. Listing of contacts shall be carried out in respect of all persons found positive, along with their tracking, identification, quarantine and follow up of contacts for 14 days (80 percent of contacts to be traced in 72 hours). Quick isolation of COVID-19 patients shall be ensured in treatment facilities/ home (subject to fulfilling the home isolation guidelines).Clinical interventions, as prescribed, shall be administered. Surveillance for ILI/ SARI cases shall be carried out in health facilities or outreach mobile units or through fever clinics in buffer zones,” the guidelines read.
Policemen direct passengers to get themselves tested for Covid-19 at the Delhi-Noida border. The national capital has been witnessing a spurt in coronavirus cases since October 28 when daily cases breached the 5,000 mark for the first time. (Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)
The Centre has also emphasised the promotion of appropriate covid behaviour. “In order to enforce the core requirement of wearing of face masks, States and UTs may consider administrative actions, including the imposition of appropriate fines, on persons not wearing face masks in public and workspaces,” the guidelines said.
They added that for the observance of social distancing in crowded places, especially in markets, weekly bazaars and public transport, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will issue an SOP, which shall be strictly enforced by States and UTs. All existing SOPs have to be followed strictly, the Centre has said.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd