Existing COVID-19 guidelines to continue till March 31: MHA
What's the story
The Home Ministry on Friday said the existing COVID-19 guidelines will remain in force till March 31.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said while there has been a substantial decline in the active and new COVID-19 cases, there is a need to maintain surveillance, containment, and caution so as to fully overcome the pandemic.
Measures
States and UTs have been advised to speed up vaccination
The states and UTs have also been advised to speed up the vaccination of the target population so as to break the chain of transmission and overcome the pandemic.
Accordingly, containment zones continue to be demarcated carefully; prescribed containment measures strictly followed within these zones; COVID-19 appropriate behavior promoted and strictly enforced, and the SOPs prescribed in respect of various permitted activities followed scrupulously.
Order
Guidelines need to be enforced strictly
Therefore, the focused approach on surveillance, containment, and strict observance of the guidelines and SOPs, as envisaged in the guidelines issued on January 27 need to be enforced strictly by states and UTs, it said.
The MHA issued an order on Friday extending the existing guidelines for surveillance, containment, and caution and they will remain in force up to March 31, the statement said.
Details
Things that are allowed, as per existing guidelines
As per the existing guidelines, cinema halls and theatres are allowed to operate with more people while swimming pools have also been permitted for use by all.
There is no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods including those for cross-land-border trade under treaties with neighboring countries.
No separate permission or approval or e-permit will be required for such movements.
Guidelines
All activities permitted outside containment zones
All activities are permitted outside containment zones, except a few with strict adherence to SOPs.
Social, religious, sports, entertainment, educational, cultural, gatherings have been permitted up to a maximum of 50 percent of the hall capacity, with a ceiling of 200 people in closed spaces; and keeping of the size of the ground or space in view, in open spaces.
Details
Revised SOP to be issued for cinema halls
Now, such gatherings will be allowed subject to the SOP of the state and UT concerned.
"Cinema halls and theatres have already been permitted up to 50 percent of seating capacity. Now they will be permitted to operate at higher seating capacity, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in consultation with MHA," the ministry said.
Information
Swimming pools to be permitted for use of all
The guidelines said swimming pools have already been permitted for use of sportspersons. Now swimming pools will be permitted for use of all, for which a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in consultation with MHA.