NEW DELHI: With at least 20 cases of the UK strain of coronavirus detected in India so far, the
Centre has asked all
states to impose temporary restrictions for the next three days and keep a strict vigil to curb “super spreader” events in the wake of
New Year celebrations.
“You may promptly assess the local situation and consider imposition of appropriate restrictions on 30th and 31st December, 2020 as well as on 1st January, 2021,” health secretary
Rajesh Bhushan said in a letter to chief secretaries of all states and UTs.
The health ministry also recommended to civil aviation ministry for extension of temporary suspension of international flights from the UK to India to continue till Jan 7, 2021 which has been accepted.
These measures are necessary keeping in view a fresh surge in Covid-19 cases in Europe and the US even as there was a steady decline in cases in the country for the last three and a half months, it said. The UK strain, seen to be much more infectious, is worrying government experts who feel that virus poses a danger and can undo the recent success in containing the disease.
The Centre has also advised states to go in for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of positive samples to Insacog labs set up to carry out genone sequencing. At the same time, mindful of an economy that is showing signs of revival, the Centre has said there cannot be restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods.
Drawing attention to recent guidelines from the
home ministry,
Bhushan said state authorities may impose local restrictions, such as night curfew, with a view to contain the spread of Covid-19.
“You may appreciate that in the wake of New Year and various celebratory events associated with it, as well as the on-going winter season, strict vigil is required to be maintained to curb all potential ‘super spreader’ events and places where crowds may gather,” Bhushan said.