The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the COVID-19 guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution. These guidelines, which were to remain in force till January 31 this year, have been extended till 28th Feb, 2021. The main focus of the guidelines is to consolidate the substantial gains that have been achieved in the country against the spread of COVID-19.

As per the guidelines, all activities have been permitted outside the containment zone. Social, religious, entertainment related gatherings shall be allowed subject to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the concerned state/union territory. Until now only 50 per cent hall capacity and ceiling of 200 persons in closed spaces was permitted. Swimming pools have been opened for all and a detailed SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S) in consultation with MHA.

Exhibition halls can also be used now by the public for functions, subject to SOPs issued by the department of Commerce in consultation with the MHA.

However, states/UTs have been mandated to continue to enforce Containment measures and SOPs on various activities to encourage COVID appropriate behaviour.

While the country has seen a steady decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, the MHA has advised that precautionary protocols will continue to be observed keeping in mind the surge of cases worldwide and the emerging new variant of the virus. Surveillance, containment and caution should continue to be exercised, in the containment zones and there should be no let up in that, stated the MHA.

According to the Union health ministry, as of today, January 27, 2021, a total of 2,328,779 beneficiaries have been vaccinated for COVID-19.