Covid-19: MHA Issues New Guidelines from Dec 1; Know How Life in India will Change from Today

Amid the rising cases of Coronavirus in the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday has issued fresh guidelines across the states. The new set of guidelines will be effective from December 1, 2020 for the surveillance, containment, and caution against the coronavirus disease in the wake of the rising cases of corona virus in India.

What are the New Unlock Guidelines from Dec 1?

The Ministry asked the state and Union Territories to take all necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, including the strict enforcement of wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing. It asked the states to consider administrative actions, including imposition of appropriate fines on persons not wearing face masks in the public and work spaces.

Moreover, MHA said in a statement, “Observance of social distancing in crowded places, especially in markets, weekly bazaars and public transport, is also critical for containing the spread of the infection. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will issue a SOP to regulate crowds in market places which shall be strictly enforced for states and UT".

Only Essential Activities shall be allowed in Containment Zones

Only essential activities shall be allowed in Containment Zones. Local district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that prescribed Containment measures are strictly followed and State or UT Govts shall ensure accountability of concerned officers.

"There shall be 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," said the statement.

Intensive house-to-house surveillance by surveillence team

There will be intensive house-to-house surveillance by surveillance team formed for the purpuse. Testing shall be carried out as per proscribed manner.

“Containment zones shall be carefully demarcated by the district authorities, at the micro level, taking into consultations the guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,” the guidelines read. 

Local body can impose night curfew or 144

Based on the assessment of their situation,the states and Union Territories body may impose local restrictions such as night curfew, with a view of the spread of coronavirus. However, the states cannot impose lockdowns outside the containment zone without the prior consultation with the central government, said the guidelines.

Rajasthan Imposes Night Curfew In Many Districts till 31st December

Keeping in mind the sudden rising cases, Rajasthan has Imposesd Night Curfew in 13 districts headquarters town from 8 pm to 6 am including Kota, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Ajmer, Tonk, Udaipur, Alwar which will remain upto 31st December.

Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutes in the state will remain closed till December 31. Cinema halls/multiplexes and similar places to remain closed too.

However, the state government order will not be applicable on - factories with production of continuous nature, factories having night shift, IT companies, chemist shops, offices related to essential emergency services, marriage related gathering, any workplace related to medical services, passengers coming or going to transport terminals.