Team Herald
Panjim: Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), on May 17, issued the revised guidelines regarding lockdown restrictions, to contain COVID-19. As the lockdown was extended up to May 31, 2020, widespread relaxations were given in the restrictions.
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Under the new guidelines effective from March 18, States and UTs will now delineate the Red Orange and Green zones, taking into consideration the revised guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on May 17, 2020. Inside the red/orange zones, containment and buffer zones will be identified by the local authorities, based on local level technical inputs and Health Ministry guidelines, says MHA.
The order says that within containment zones, strict perimeter will be maintained as earlier and only essential activities will be allowed. Limited activities will continue to be prohibited throughout the country. All other activities will be permitted except the ones that are specifically prohibited under MHA guidelines.
In view of these points, MHA has reiterated to the States/UTs that despite widespread relaxations given in lockdown restrictions under revised guidelines, States/UTs cannot dilute the restrictions imposed in MHA guidelines. They may prohibit certain other activities or impose restrictions, as deemed necessary on the basis of ground level analysis of the situation.
Further, it has been communicated that States/UTs must take into consideration the benchmarks/thresholds indicated in the revised guidelines issued by MoHFW, while delineating zones at local level. It has also been urged to give wide publicity to the Centre and respective State guidelines at local level for the convenience of the public.
