Staggered timings, free inter-state movement part of new MHA Covid norms

Guidelines effective between Dec 1 till month end. States told to strictly enforce containment measures, regulate crowds, exercise caution

With Covid-19 cases surging in many parts of the country, the home ministry has issued fresh guidelines for states to strictly enforce containment measures, surveillance and caution to fully overcome the pandemic. The guidelines will be effective from December 1 till the end of the month. 

States have been allowed to assess the situation to impose local restrictions to contain the spread of Covid-19 such as night curfews, but they cannot impose any local lockdowns outside the containment zones without consultation with the central government. 

In cities where the weekly case positivity rate is more than 10 per cent, states have been asked to implement staggered office timings and other suitable measures to reduce the number of employees attending office at the same time. 

To ensure social distancing in crowded places, especially markets, weekly bazaars and public transport, the home ministry said that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will issue a standard operating procedure, which shall be strictly enforced by states and Union Territories.

The guidelines have also clarified that there would 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 or approval or an e-permit will be required for such movement. The government has said that the local district, police and municipal authorities would be responsible to ensure that the prescribed containment measures are strictly followed and state governments shall ensure the accountability of the officers concerned. 

Certain activities have been permitted with restrictions outside the containment zones such as international air travel of passengers, as permitted by home affairs ministry, opening of cinema halls and theatres with up to 50 per cent capacity, social, cultural, entertainment or religious gatherings with up to 50 per cent of the hall capacity with a ceiling of 200 persons in closed spaces. States have been allowed to reduce this upper limit, based on the situation, to 100 persons or less in closed spaces.

Within the containment zones, there has to be intensive house-to-house surveillance by teams formed for the purpose and strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in or out of these zones — except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services.

Listing of contacts would be carried out in respect of all persons found positive, along with their tracking, identification, quarantine and follow-up of contacts for 14 days — 80 per cent of the contacts are to be traced in 72 hours in such zones.

“Every citizen must adopt Covid-19 appropriate behaviour to ensure the resumption of activities is successful and gains made in the management of the pandemic are not negated,” the home ministry said. 

Vulnerable persons — above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 — have been advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes. 

The guidelines also stated that the use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged.