MHA Extends COVID Guidelines Till Sept 30, Cautions States Over Downward Trend In Enforcement Of Norms

The Union Home Secretary pointed out that the weekly data regarding wearing of facemask, maintaining social distancing, imposition of fines, etc indicate a downward trend in enforcement.

Representative Photo: PTI

New Delhi: The Union government on Saturday once again directed all states and union territories to ensure there is no large gathering amid the festive season and that proactive measures are undertaken to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla informed about the extension of the ongoing COVID-19 guidelines for another month i.e. till September 30. He observed that the overall pandemic situation appears to be largely stable at the national level, barring the localised spread observed in a few states, news agency PTI reported.

Communicating with the chief secretaries of all states and UTs via letters, he stated that the total number of active cases and high case positivity in some districts continue to remain a matter of concern.

"The state governments and UT administrations concerned, having high positivity in their districts, should take pro-active containment measures so as to effectively arrest the spike in cases and to contain the spread of transmission. It is important to identify warning signs of potential surges early on and to take appropriate measures to curb the spread. This would require a localised approach, as has been mentioned in Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) advisories dated April 25 and June 28," he wrote.

The Union home secretary also advised states to take appropriate measures to avoid large gatherings during the coming festive season. The states can impose local restrictions to prevent gatherings, if necessary.

After celebrations in August, several major festivals including Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath are set to arrive in the coming months.

COVID-appropriate behaviour should be strictly enforced at all crowded places, Ajay Bhalla stated.

Five-Fold Strategy & Other Measures

States have been asked to focus on the five-fold strategy, which is test-track-treat-vaccination and adherence to COVID-appropriate behaviour -- for effective management of COVID-19.

The Union Home Secretary stressed that following COVID-appropriate behaviour is essential for tackling the pandemic while pointing out that the weekly data from states and UTs regarding wearing of facemask, maintaining social distancing, imposition of fines, etc indicate a downward trend in enforcement.

Furthermore, areas having no virus or low transmission need to be adequately protected by progressively ramping up testing and other measures such as monitoring for ILI and SARI (Influenza-Like Illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection), and market surveillance, he advised.

"I would, therefore, urge you to issue strict directions to the district and all other local authorities concerned, to take necessary measures for management of COVID- 19. The officers concerned should be made personally responsible for any laxity in strict enforcement of COVID Appropriate Behaviour," he said, as quoted by PTI.

The number of active cases in India registered an increase for the fourth consecutive day, according to Union Health Ministry data on Saturday.

The number of active cases has now increased to 3,59,775 which comprises 1.10 per cent of the total infections. The national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 97.56 per cent, the health ministry informed.