The Center on Tuesday called on states to focus on the five-pronged strategy for effective COVID-19 control, saying the procedure for easing restrictions must be conscientiously calibrated.
In a notice to all state governments and administrations of the Union Territories on COVID-19 control for the month of July, Union Home Affairs Minister Ajay Bhalla also said that states deserve to monitor districts with a peak number of active coronavirus cases consistent with millions (10 lakh), as this is a vital indicator to expect the desire to improve fitness infrastructure and logistics, so that we can take quick and immediate action.
He said that with the number of active coronaviruses falling, many states have begun to ease restrictions.
Bhalla said the procedure for easing restrictions needs to be “carefully calibrated” and states will need to take swift and targeted action, in line with the recommendation issued through the Union Ministry of Health.
“In the United States, UTs deserve in-depth monitoring of case positivity and bed occupancy, employing districts as administrative units.
“At the first sign of an increase in the positivity rate and the occupancy rate of superior beds, mandatory measures will need to be taken to engage and improve the fitness infrastructure,” he said.
The Home Secretary said that for districts with higher positivity rates and bed occupancy, states would possibly impose restrictions.
“There will be a steady focus on the five-pronged strategy for effective COVID-19 management, namely testing, monitoring, treatment, vaccination, and adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behavior,” he said.
Bhalla said that as has been highlighted in previous Home Office orders and notices, following appropriate Covid behaviour is to protect yourself from any build-up of cases.
We reiterate that appropriate behaviors for Covid include the mandatory use of masks, hand hygiene, physical and social distancing (maintaining a distance of two meters from anyone) and ventilation of closed places, he added.
By easing restrictions, it is intended to ensure that there is no rest in respecting Covid-appropriate behaviour, the Home Secretary said.
“I urge you to instruct districts and all other applicable governments to take the mandatory measures requested through the Ministry of Health in its June 28 letter for COVID-19 control.
“I would also recommend that orders issued through the respective state governments, UT administrations and district governments in this regard be widely disseminated to the public and cashier officials for implementation,” he added.
IMD has announced that intense heatwaves in Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan are expected to subside from May 30. Red alerts have been issued for those regions. The monsoon is expected to reach Kerala in the next 3-4 days. Heavy rains are forecast in the northeastern states and most likely isolated very heavy rains in Kerala and Mahé on 29 and 30 May.