In light of the increased cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19, the Ministry of Home Affairs directs implementation of normative framework till 31st January, 2022

The Ministry of Home Affairs (“MHA”) has directed the State/ UT Governments to consider implementing the normative framework issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (“MoHFW”) till 31st January, 2022:

1. At the district level there should be constant review of emerging data regarding the population affected by COVID-19, geographical spread, hospital infrastructure and its utilization, manpower, notifying Containment Zones, enforcement of perimeter of containment zones etc. This evidence should be the basis for effective decision making at the district level itself. Such a strategy ensures that infection is contained at the local level itself before it spreads to other parts of the state.

2. The main elements of the framework to be used by States and Union Territories to facilitate decision making at the District Level are as follows:

i) Test positivity of 10% or more in the last one week, or

ii) Bed occupancy of 40% or more on oxygen supported or ICU beds

In case any one of these parameters are met in any District, district level containment measures and restrictions may be put in place forthwith.

3. Based on current scientific evidence, the VOC Omicron is at least 3 times more transmissible than the Delta VOC. Besides, the Delta VOC is still present in different parts of the country. Hence, even greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making and strict & prompt containment action is required at the local and district level. The decision making at the State/UT and district level must be very prompt and focussed.

4. Some of the strategic areas of intervention focusing on containment, test, track, surveillance, clinical management, vaccination and Covid Appropriate Behaviour to be taken up are as follows:

• Containment: imposition of night curfew, strict regulation of large gatherings, curtailing numbers in marriages and funerals, restricting numbers in offices, industries, public transport etc. In case of all new clusters of Covid positive cases, prompt notification of “Containment Zones”, “Buffer Zones” should be done, strict perimeter control of Containment Zone as per extant guidelines must be ensured. All cluster samples must be sent to INSACOG Labs for Genome Sequencing without delay.

• Testing and surveillance: testing as per ICMR and MoHFW guidelines, door to door case search, testing of all SARI/ILI and vulnerable/co-morbid people, ensuring right proportion of RT­PCR tests in total tests being conducted daily, contact tracing of all Covid positive persons & their timely testing, utilizing the access to “AIR SUVIDHA” Portal by State Surveillance Officers (SSOs) & District Surveillance Officers (DSOs) to monitor the international passengers who have arrived in their States & Districts etc

• Clinical Management: increase bed capacity, other logistics like ambulances, mechanism for seamless shifting of patients, availability and operational readiness of oxygen equipments, buffer stock of drugs to be ensured by prompt utilization of Emergency Covid Response Package (ECRP-I I) funds released by Central Government & other available resources etc. The existing National Clinical Management Protocol remains unchanged for Omicron

• Vaccination: ensure 100% coverage of left out first and second dose eligible beneficiaries in an accelerated manner. Special focus to be given to those districts where the first & second dose coverage is less than the national average. The door-to-door vaccination campaign need to be strengthened

Further, the following National Directives for COVID 19 management have to be strictly followed.

1. Face covering: Wearing of face cover is compulsory in public places; in workplaces; and during transport.
2. Social distancing: Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet (2 gaz ki doori) in public places. Shops have to ensure physical distancing among customers.
3. Spitting in public places will be punishable with fine, as may be prescribed by the State/ UT local authority in accordance with its laws, rules or regulations.

Additional directives for Work-places

1. Work from home (WM): As far as possible the practice of will should be followed.
2. Staggering of work/ business hours should be followed in offices, work places, shops, markets and industrial & commercial establishments.
3. Screening & hygiene: Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash or sanitizer should be made at all entry points and of hand wash or sanitizer at exit points and common areas.
4. Frequent sanitization of entire workplace, common facilities and all points which come into human contact e.g. door handles etc., should be ensured, including between shifts.
5. Social distancing: All persons in charge of work places will ensure adequate distance between workers and staff.

Penalty:

Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the relevant provisions of Disaster Management Act and the Indian Penal Code, and other legal provisions, as applicable.

Background:

In view of the initial signs of surge in cases of COVID-19 as well as increased detection of the Variant of Concern (VoC), ‘Omicron’, in different parts of the country, the MoHFW has issued an advisory to all the States and Union Territories (UTs), prescribing a normative framework for taking evidence based containment measures at district/ local level.

In light of this, the present Order is issued.

A copy of the Order is linked below for reference.

Source: Ministry of Home Affairs