The Union Home Secretary, Government of India (“MHA”), has written to the Chief Secretaries of all States and the Administrators of all Union Territories, in pursuance of MHA Order dated 23rd March, 2021 which prescribes fresh guidelines for effective control of COVID-19 (“Guidelines”). The fresh Guidelines shall gain effect from 1st April, 2021 and remain in force up to 30th April, 2021.
The letter highlights that there has been a sustained decline in the number of active cases. However, a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases is witnessed in some parts of the country and the same may aggravate in view of the upcoming festivals and general laxity in the observance of COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.
The letter further reiterates that State / UTs should take necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour in work places and public, especially in crowded places. For strict enforcement of wearing of masks, hand hygiene and social distancing, States / UTs may consider administrative actions, including imposition of appropriate fine. Containment Zones have to be carefully demarcated by district authorities at micro level, and containment measures strictly enforced by the authorities concerned taking into consideration guidelines prescribed by MoHFW.
It is of utmost importance to follow Test-Track-Treat protocol in all parts of the country. The protocol includes aggressive testing to detect early COVID-19 positive cases, timely isolation of such positive cases by providing them clinical interventions, timely contact tracing as per protocol and demarcation of Containment Zones. In some States / UTs, the proportion of RT-PCR test in the total mix is low. Such States / UTs should rapidly increase the proportion of RT-PCR test to the prescribed level of 70% or more.
As emphasized earlier, guidelines/ SOPs issued for various activities must be strictly followed. States/UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions at district/ sub-district and cities/ward level, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19.
However, there must not be any restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods including those for cross land-border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries.
The world’s largest vaccination drive against COVID-19 is proceeding smoothly. However, the pace is uneven across different States and UTs, which is a matter of concern. Vaccination against COVID-19, in the present scenario, is critical to break the chain of transmission. Therefore, all State/UT Governments have been directed to rapidly step up the pace of vaccination, to cover all priority groups in an expeditious manner.
Source:
Letter to Chief Secretaries of all States
Letter to Administrators of all Union Territories
