The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an order on Wednesday regarding the new guidelines for containment of COVID-19 in the country. As directed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the order states the guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution.
The following guidelines are issued to be effective from February 1, 2021 and will remain effective up to February 28.
{{1JKAHm6ZN9ug7kPG2KMK}}
COVID appropriate behavior
1. State/ UT Governments shall take all necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behavior and ensure the wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.
2. The National Directives for COVID-19 Management, as specified in Annexure 1, shall be strictly followed throughout the country.
Surveillance and Containment
3.Containment Zones, if required, shall be carefully demarcated by the district authorities at the micro-level, taking into consideration guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in this regard. Within the demarcated Containment Zones, containment measures, as prescribed by MoHFW shall be scrupulously followed.
4.Local district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that the prescribed Containment measures are strictly followed and State/ UT Governments shall ensure the accountability of the officers concerned in this regard
Strict adherence to the prescribed SOPs
5. All activities have been permitted outside Containment Zones, except for the following, which will be subject to strict adherence of SOPs, as indicated below:
i. Social/ religious/ sports/ entertainment/ educational/ cultural/ religious gatherings have already been permitted up to a maximum of 50% 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. Now such gatherings will be allowed subject to SOP of the State/ UT concerned.
ii. Cinema halls and theatres have already been permitted up to 50% of seating capacity. Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in consultation with MHA.
iii. Swimming pools have already been permitted for use of sportspersons. Now swimming pools will be permitted for use of all, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S) in consultation with MHA.
iv. Business to Business (B2B) exhibition halls have already been permitted. Now all types of exhibition halls will be permitted, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce in consultation with MHA.
6. For further opening up of international air travel of passengers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) may take a decision in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) based on the assessment of the situation.
7. SOPs, as updated from time to time, have been prescribed for various activities. These include movement by passenger trains; air travel; metro trains; schools; higher educational institutions; hotels and restaurants; shopping malls, multiplexes and entertainment parks; yoga centers and gymnasiums, etc. These SOPs shall be strictly enforced by the authorities concerned, who shall be responsible for their strict observance.
Local restrictions
8.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 neighboring countries. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.
Protection of vulnerable persons
9.Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years are advised to take necessary precautions.
Use of Aarogya Setu
10.The use of Aarogya Setu mobile App will continue to be encouraged.