MHA issues new Covid-control guidelines to states, to be effective from April 1

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday issued a fresh set of guidelines directing all states and Union Territories (UT) to 'test-track-treat' in a bid to counter the renewed spike of Covid-19 cases.

MHA has asked all states and UTs to enhance the proportion of RT-PCR tests, strictly enforce the 'test-track-treat' protocol and speed up the pace of vaccination to cover all priority groups.

The fresh guidelines issued by the MHA will be effective from April 1 till April 30.

The main focus of the guidelines is to consolidate the substantial gains achieved in containing the spread of Covid-19, which was visible in the sustained decline in the number of active cases, continuously for about five months, the ministry said.

Here's are fresh guidelines:

Test-track-treat protocol

. States and UTs, where the proportion of RT-PCR tests is less, should rapidly increase it, to reach the prescribed level of 70 per cent or more.

. The new positive cases, detected as a result of intensive testing, need to be isolated/ quarantined at the earliest and provided timely treatment.

. Further, as per the protocol, their contacts have to be traced at the earliest and similarly isolated/ quarantined.

. Based on the positive cases and tracking of their contacts, Containment Zones shall be carefully demarcated by the district authorities, at the micro-level, taking into consideration the guidelines prescribed by the MoHFWin in this regard.

. The list of Containment Zones will be notified on the websites by the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs. This list will also be shared with MoHFW on a regular basis.

. Within the demarcated Containment Zones, containment measures, as prescribed by MoHFW, shall be scrupulously followed, which include strict perimeter control, intensive house-to-house surveillance, contact tracing, surveillance for ILI/ SARI cases etc.

. Local district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that the prescribed Containment measures are strictly followed and State/ UT Governments shall ensure the accountability of the



officers concerned in this regard.

Covid appropriate behaviour:

. State/UT Governments shall take all necessary measures to promote Covid-19 appropriate behaviour in workplaces and in public, especially in crowded places.

. For strict enforcement of wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing, States and UTs may consider administrative actions, including imposition of appropriate fines.

. National Directives for Covid-19 Management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, so as to enforce Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.

Local restrictions

. States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, at district/ sub-district and city/ ward level, with a view to contain the spread of Covid-19.
No restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement.

. There shall 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/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.

. Strict adherence to the prescribed SOPs
All activities have been permitted outside Containment Zones and SOPs have been prescribed for various activities. These include: movement by passenger trains; air travel; metro trains; schools; higher educational institutions; hotels and restaurants; shopping malls, multiplexes and entertainment parks; yoga centres and gymnasiums; exhibitions, assemblies and congregations, etc.

. The SOPs, as updated from time to time, shall be strictly enforced by the authorities concerned, who shall be responsible for their strict observance.

Vaccination

. While the vaccination drive is proceeding smoothly, the pace is uneven across different States and UTs; and, the slow pace of vaccination in some States/ UTs 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 should rapidly step up the pace of vaccination, to cover all priority groups in an expeditious manner.