The Centre has issued a fresh set of guidelines which came into force from Tuesday. These guidelines will remain in force till December 31. Keeping in mind the recent spike in new cases in some states, the Centre has given more power to the states and union territories to impose local restrictions.
The state governments are also allowed to take administrative action against people not following the basic COVID-19 safety measures.
The Union Home Ministry noted the focus of the guidelines will be to “consolidate the gains achieved against the spread of COVID-19”, it said is visible in the steady decline in the number of active cases in the country.
Therefore, the new guidelines included a set of protocols for states and union territories.
The new guidelines also noted that surveillance teams will conduct intensive house-to-house surveillance in containment zones and quick isolation of COVID-19 patients shall be ensured in treatment facilities or home.
The latest COVID 19 guidelines:
- All activities are allowed outside containment zones
- There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods.
- Cinema halls and theatres can function with up to 50 per cent seating capacity
- Social, religious and other gatherings will be allowed with a maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity. But states can take a call on capping the number of persons at gatherings depending on the local situation.
- States can impose local restrictions, such as night curfew, based on their assessment of the situation. However, the imposition of any local lockdown outside the containment zones need prior consultation with the Centre.
- In cities, where the weekly Case Positivity Rate is more than 10 per cent, state governments can consider implementing staggered office timings.
- Local police and civic bodies shall be responsible for ensuring that the prescribed containment measures are strictly followed.
- State are free to take administrative action against people not following the basic COVID-19 safety measures.