The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified that guidelines for Surveillance, Containment and Caution issued under MHA Order dated 27th January, 2021 will remain in force upto 31st March, 2021.
With this extension, the existing guidelines will continue to be effective till 31st March, 2021.
Key Provisions: Guidelines for Surveillance, Containment and Caution dt. January 27, 2021 of Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI
• All activities remain permitted outside the Containment Zones; some activities will be permitted subject to strict compliance with SOPs;
• Ministry of Civil Aviation may take a decision on further opening of international air travel of passengers, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs;
• State or Union Territory Governments to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and enforce wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing;
• Use of Aarogya Setu may continue on best effort basis on compatible mobile phones. This will facilitate timely provision of medical attention to those individuals who are at risk;
• 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; separate permission/ approval/ permit shall not be required for such movement;
• Containment Zones, if required, must be carefully demarcated by the district authorities, at the micro level, taking into consideration the guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in this regard. Within the demarcated Containment Zones, containment measures, as prescribed by MoHFW, should be scrupulously followed;
• Local district, police and municipal authorities to ensure that the prescribed Containment measures are strictly followed. State/ UT Governments to ensure accountability of the officers concerned in this regard;
• Persons above 65 years; with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 years to take necessary precautions;
1. Strict Adherence to prescribed SOPs:
The following activities will be subject to strict adherence of SOPs, as indicated below:
i. Social/ religious/ sports/ entertainment/ educational/ cultural/ religious gatherings, subject to SOP of the State/ UT concerned;
ii. Cinema halls and theatres, subject to a revised SOP to be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs;
iii. Swimming pools, subject to a revised SOP to be issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs;
iv. Exhibition halls, subject to a revised SOP to be issued by the Department of Commerce in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs.
2. Strict Enforcement of Guidelines:
All District Magistrates must strictly enforce the above-mentioned measures. For the enforcement of social distancing, State/ UT Governments may, as far as possible, use the provisions of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973.
3. Penalty:
Any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and other legal provisions as applicable. Extracts of penal provisions have been provided in Annexure II of the Order.
National Directives for COVID-19 management:
General:
1. Face coverings: 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 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 Workplaces:
1. Staggering of work/business hours will be followed in offices, workplaces, shops, markets and industrial & commercial establishments.
2. Screening & Hygiene: Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash or sanitizer will be made at all entry and exit points and common areas;
3. Frequent sanitization of entire workplace, common facilities and all points which come into human contact e.g. door handles etc., will be ensured, including between shifts;
4. Social distancing: All persons in charge of workplaces to ensure adequate distance between workers, adequate gaps between shifts, staggering the lunch breaks of staff etc.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
