The home ministry had stated that the existing COVID-19 guidelines will continue till 31st March. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), said in a statement that there is a significant drop in the new COVID-19 cases. But, a need to maintain surveillance, attentiveness and containment to completely overcome the coronavirus pandemic.

The states and union territories are advised to accelerate the vaccination of the target population so that they can break the chain of transmission and overcome this pandemic.

All the containment zones must be defined carefully and measures should be strictly followed. COVID-appropriate behaviour should be followed and strictly imposed. The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be imposed in several allowed activities and followed meticulously.

A focussed approach on surveillance, containment and strict observation of the guidelines and SOPs, as given in the guidelines were issued on 27th January and should be followed strictly by states and union territories.

On Friday, the MHA had issued an order and extended the existing guidelines for surveillance, containment and carefulness and will continue up to 31st March. According to the existing guidelines, cinema halls and theatres are allowed to operate with more people and swimming pools are also allowed for use by all.

No restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods have been imposed including cross land-border trade under the agreements with neighbouring countries. There is no separatee-permit or permission or approval required for such movements. All activities are permitted outside the containment zones, only a few are excluded and will be subjected to strict adherence as per the SOPs.

Social, educational along with sports, cultural, entertainment, religious gatherings are allowed a maximum of 50 percent of the hall capacity and 200 people in closed spaces. Also, the size of the ground or space should be kept in view for open spaces. Now such gatherings will be permitted to SOP of the state and UT concerned.

Cinema halls and theatres are allowed up to 50 per cent of seating capacity. But now it will be allowed to operate at higher seating capacity and a revised SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting with consultation with MHA.

The guidelines said that swimming pools have allowed for use of sportspersons. But now it will be allowed for use by all and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will issue a revised SOP.

Source: ET Healthworld