New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the COVID-19 guidelines for surveillance and containment till March 31, amidst the surge of coronavirus cases across the country.
The MHA issues an order today to extend its existing guidelines for Surveillance, Containment And Caution in all States and Union Territories.
“While there has been a substantial decline in the active and new COVID-19 cases, there is need to maintain surveillance, containment and caution so as to fully overcome the pandemic,” the Home Ministry said in a statement.
The States and UTs have been advised to speed up the COVID vaccination of the target population so as to break the chain of transmission and overcome the pandemic, it added.
Accordingly, the containment zones continue to be demarcated carefully by respective States/ district administrations. MHA also asked the States and UTs to ensure that prescribed containment measures strictly followed within these zones. Likewise, COVID-appropriate behaviour promoted and strictly enforced.
It also asked States to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribed in respect of various permitted activities.
“Therefore, the focused approach on surveillance, containment and strict observance of the guidelines/ SOPs, as envisaged in the Guidelines issued on 27.01.2021 need to be enforced strictly by States and Union Territories,” the MHA order read.
Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases in India has reached 1,10,63,491. The country also saw 120 deaths due to the infection in the last 24 hours, taking the toll to 1,56,825, the Health Ministry data shows.
-RJV
