New Delhi (NVI): All the state and Union Territory governments have been mandated to strictly enforce the Test-Track-Treat protocol in all parts of the country under the fresh set of guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for effective control of COVID-19.
In the backdrop of a fresh surge in coronavirus cases in some parts of the country, the guidelines also ask to ensure observance of covid appropriate behaviour, and scale up the vaccination drive to cover all target groups.
The new guidelines will be effective from April 1, 2021, and remain in force up to April 30, 2021.
“The main focus of the Guidelines is to consolidate the substantial gains achieved in containing the spread of COVID-19, which was visible in the sustained decline in the number of active cases, continuously for about 5 months,” according to an official statement issued by MHA.
States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, at district/ sub-district and city/ ward level, with a view to containing the spread of covid-19, the statement added.
The Centre has asked states to take all necessary measures to promote covid-19 appropriate behaviour in workplaces and in public, especially in crowded places.
Furthermore, for strict enforcement of wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing, States and UTs may consider administrative actions, including the imposition of appropriate fines, the MHA said.
Meanwhile, as the vaccination drive is proceeding smoothly, the pace is uneven across different States and UTs; and, the slow pace of vaccination in some States/ UTs is a matter of concern, the ministry stated.
The MHA said that vaccination against COVID-19, in the present scenario, is critical to break the chain of transmission, therefore, all state/ UT governments should rapidly step up the pace of vaccination, to cover all priority groups in an expeditious manner.
“It is also emphasised that in order to ensure that the resumption of activities is successful and to fully overcome the pandemic, there is need to strictly follow the prescribed containment strategy, and strictly observe the guidelines/ standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by MHA and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and other Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government and State/ UT Governments,” the MHA said in a statement.
However, the guidelines state that 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 for such movements.
“All activities have been permitted outside Containment Zones and SOPs 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 centres and gymnasiums; exhibitions, assemblies and congregations, etc.,” the statement read.
-CHK
