In view of decline in number of active and new cases, and substantial gains achieved against the spread of COVID-19 in the last four months, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday issued Guidelines for Surveillance, Containment and Caution with the aim to fully overcome the pandemic.
“There is need to maintain caution and to strictly follow the prescribed containment strategy focussed on surveillance, containment and strict observance of the guidelines/ SOPs issued by MHA and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW),” the union government said in the release.
As per the announcement, the guidelines for ‘Surveillance, Containment and Caution’ will be effective from February 1, 2021 and to remain in force upto February 28, 2021.
Union Home Ministry issues an order to enforce guidelines for surveillance, containment & caution which will be effective from Feb 1 to Feb 28; states/UTs mandated to continue to enforce containment measures & SOPs on various activities & COVID appropriate behaviour. pic.twitter.com/owHbYZVgmt
— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2021
Surveillance and Containment
Containment Zones, if required, shall be carefully demarcated by the district authorities at the micro level. As stated by the government, the containment measures, prescribed by MoHFW shall be scrupulously followed within the demarcated Containment Zones. Local district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that measures are strictly followed.
COVID-Appropriate behavior
The central government has diercted the State and UT Governments to take all necssary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and ensure wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.
Strict adherence to the prescribed SOPs:
Social/ religious/ sports/ entertainment/ educational/ cultural/ religious gatherings have already been permitted upto a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity, with a ceiling of 200 persons in closed spaces
Cinema halls and theatres have already been permitted upto 50% of seating capacity. Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity.
Swimming pools will be permitted for use of all. A revised SOP will be issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports soon.
All types of exhibition halls will be permitted.
For further opening up of international air travel of passengers, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) may take a decision in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) based on the assessment of the situation.
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.
The use of Aarogya Setu mobile App will continue to be encouraged.
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.
