One of the points in the new guidelines, which will come into force from December 1, is empowering the states to impose local restrictions, including night curfew.
The Home Ministry suggested measures like stricter enforcement of containment zones, contact tracing and encouraging "covid-appropriate" behaviour.
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Wednesday empowered the states and Union Territories to impose local restrictions including night curfew, but said they have to consult the Union government before imposing any lockdown outside containment zones. The new guidelines will be effective from December 1 to 31 and have been drafted to prevent large gatherings at weddings and during Christmas and New Year celebrations. Home ministry officials said the directives were formulated after consulting health experts and law enforcement agencies.
“States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions with a view to contain the spread of Covid-19 such as night curfew. However, state and UT governments shall not impose any local lockdown (state/district/sub-division/city level) outside the containment zones without prior consultation with the Central government,” according to the guidelines.
Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab have already imposed night curfew. In its order for “Surveillance, Containment and Caution” for December, the home ministry empowered local authorities including the police and district and municipal authorities in containment zones to strictly follow the protocols and asked the state governments to ensure accountability of the officials.
“Listing of contacts shall be carried out in respect of all persons found positive, along with their tracking, identification, quarantine and follow-up of contacts for 14 days. Quick isolation of Covid-19 patients shall be ensured in treatment facilities,” it stated.
The home ministry said the focus of the directives is to consolidate the substantial gains that have been achieved in curbing the spread of Covid-19, which are visible in the steady decline in number of active cases in the country. According to the guidelines, keeping in view the recent spike in new cases in some states and UTs, the ongoing festival season and the onset of winter, it is emphasised that to fully overcome the pandemic there is a need to maintain caution and to strictly follow the prescribed containment strategy.
The containment strategy should be focussed on surveillance, containment and strict observance of the guidelines and SOPs issued by the home and health ministries, according to the order. Local district, police and municipal authorities will be responsible in ensuring that the prescribed containment measures are followed strictly, the home ministry said.
The government first imposed a nationwide lockdown to check the spread of the coronavirus in March. After four phases of lockdown, the first set of relaxations was announced in June, which led to the opening of restaurants, shopping malls and other businesses in phases.
Get Unlimited Access to The Economic Times
