Follow intensive, local containment measures, MHA to states

The Centre has already allowed states and union territories to impose local lockdowns as per the situation in particular districts or the entire state.

The Union home ministry (MHA) on Thursday directed states and Union territories to follow intensive and local containment measures in districts with a high proportion of Covid-19 cases. The monthly directive, which will remain in force till May 31, however, did not mention a nationwide lockdown.

The health ministry’s containment framework - it requires states to order local lockdowns if test positive rate exceeds 10% or 60% beds are occupied - is the Centre’s major approach to flatten the pandemic curve. (ANI)

The Centre has already allowed states and union territories to impose local lockdowns as per the situation in particular districts or the entire state.

States/UTs must implement the containment measures suggested by the ministry of health and family welfare on April 25 which includes identifying districts, where either the tests positivity had been more than 10 percent or more in the last one week; or, where bed occupancy was more than 60 percent, the MHA order read.

“Districts fulfilling any of the above two criteria should be considered for taking intensive and local containment measures,” it added.

The containment framework shared by the health ministry has suggested containment as a major approach to flatten the pandemic curve.

Night curfew, restricting intermingling of people, limiting crowd in marriages to 50 persons, prohibiting social/political/religious/sports gatherings, closing cinemas are among the measures recommended by the health ministry in its communication on April 25.

At present, Delhi is observing a full lockdown till May 3 while Uttar Pradesh is following a weekend curfew since April 24.

The Centre has also asked states to focus on ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccine’ strategy and implementation of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour across respective districts apart from door-to-door case search and adequate testing.

On April 20, the Centre had also asked states to augment the testing and hospital infrastructure in advance for the next three weeks.

In the last couple of days, MHA also issued directions regarding smooth supply of oxygen in the affected states.