MHA new Covid tips: States requested to extend testing, velocity up vaccination

Amid a spike in Covid-19 circumstances in some elements of the nation, the MHA has issued a set of tips to restrict the unfold of coronavirus. The tips, which will probably be efficient from April 1, have requested states and Union Territories to implement the ‘test-track-treat’ protocol and laid down containment measures.
The Hime ministry has additionally mentioned governments ought to take all mandatory measures to advertise Covid-appropriate behaviour in workplaces and in public, particularly in crowded locations.

MHA Guidelines for efficient management of COVID-19.
States/ UTs mandated to strictly implement Test-Track-Treat protocol, Containment measures,COVID-Appropriate conduct and SOPs on numerous actions.
Press release-https://t.co/adAcSXw3rx
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) March 23, 2021
The tips acknowledged, “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… 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.”
Emphasizing the necessity to velocity up testing, the MHA additional acknowledged, “States and UTs, where the proportion of RT-PCR tests is less, should rapidly increase it, to reach the prescribed level of 70 percent or more. The new positive cases, detected as a result of intensive testing, need to be isolated/ quarantined at the earliestand 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 this regard.”

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

The authorities, nonetheless, acknowledged there will probably be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state motion of individuals and items, together with these for cross land-border commerce beneath treaties with neighbouring nations. “No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements,” it mentioned.

The authorities has determined that everyone above 45 years of age will probably be eligible for vaccination from April 1. Announcing this, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday mentioned, “We request that all eligible should immediately register and get vaccinated.”
So far, solely individuals above 60 years of age and people within the age group of 45-60 with co-morbidities have been eligible for vaccination.