Rohit Shishodia
The Indian Home Ministry has directed states to strictly enforce Covid preventive measures in containment zones and implement Standard Operating Procedures on curbing the transmission of the deadly infection.

Issuing fresh guidelines which would come into force from December 1, 2020, the ministry has directed states to fix accountability of officers responsible for enforcing measures.

The ministry has said that the states and union territories are mandated to strictly enforce containment measures, SOPs on various activities and Covid-appropriate behavior, exercise caution and regulate crowds.

The ministry has said that the main focus is to consolidate substantial gains achieved against Covid. Further, keeping in view recent spike in cases in few States/UTs, it is emphasised that there is need to maintain caution, says the ministry.

As per fresh guidelines, only essential activities are allowed in containment zones. Local and district, police and municipal authorities shall be responsible to ensure that prescribed containment measures are strictly followed and State/UT Governments shall ensure accountability of concerned officers.

The guidelines further read that states and UTs also need to enforce social distancing in offices. In cities where weekly positivity rate is over 10%, states and UTs concerned shall consider implementing staggered office timings and  other measures, to ensure social distancing.