GUWAHATI: The Union ministry of home affairs on Wednesday released a fresh set of guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The fresh norms will be effective from December 1, 2020 and will remain in place till December 31.
In the fresh order for surveillance, containment and caution, the Home Ministry said that states and UTs are mandated to strictly enforce containment measures, SOPs on various activities.
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The Centre said that the local district, police and municipal authorities will be responsible to ensure that prescribed containment measures are strictly followed everywhere.
“Only essential activities allowed in Containment Zones. Local district, police & municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that prescribed Containment measures are strictly followed & State/UT Govts shall ensure accountability of concerned officers,” the order from MHA stated.
The Centre has also allowed states to impose local restrictions, including night curfews to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease. The states, however, cannot impose any local lockdown, outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the central government.
“In cities, where the weekly Case Positivity Rate is in more than 10 percent, 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,” it said in a statement.
The order from the MHA comes on a day when India’s COVID-19 caseload went past 92 lakh with 44,376 new cases reported in a day, while the number of recoveries surged to 86.42 lakh.
