State, UT govts can use Section 144 to ensure social distancing: Centre

The central government on Monday extended the enforcement of nationwide Covid19 containment measures until January 31 2022 as concerns rose over the emergence of increased detection of the Covid19 Variant of Concern VoC Omicron in different parts of the countryReferring to the increased Omicron cases the Ministry of Home Affairs MHA issued an advisory to all the states and Union Territories UTs directing them to implement a normative framework for taking evidencebased containment measures at district and local level and extended the Covid19 containment measures till January 31 next yearMany states like Maharashtra Delhi Gujarat Karnataka Assam Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh already have night curfews in placeIt is further directed that the National Directives for Covid19 management shall continue to be strictly followed throughout the country and all the District Magistrates shall strictly enforce the above measuresFor the enforcement of social distancing state and UT governments may as far as possible use the provisions of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code CrPC of 1973 mentions the advisoryAccording to the order any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act besides legal action under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and other legal provisions as applicableUnion Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also wrote a letter to all Chief Secretaries to all states and stressed on the need for greater foresight data analysis dynamic decision making and strict and prompt containment actions at the local and district levels based on the assessment of the situationThe Home Secretary asked the Chief Secretaries to issue necessary directions to the districts and all other local authorities concerned to take necessary measures for prompt and effective management of Covid19 strict compliance with various advisories issued by the MoHFW on the new VOC and strict enforcement of COVID appropriate behaviourHe asked that the states may consider imposing needbased local curbs and restrictions to control the crowd during the festive seasonThe Home Secretary emphasized that there should be a continued focus on the fivefold strategy TestTrackTreatVaccination and adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour to avoid the possibility of a surge in Covid19 cases especially keeping in view the new VoCHe further suggested that the state enforcement machinery should strictly enforce the norms of COVID appropriate behavior such as wearing face masks and maintaining safe social distancing in all public areas or gatheringsBhalla said that state governments should ensure that the health systems in the states are strengthened to meet any challenge posed by the new variantFurther the Home Secretary stressed the state governments and UT administrations should ensure that oxygen supply equipment are installed and are fully functional and the buffer stock of essential drugs should also be maintainedI would like to reiterate that all the StatesUTs must observe all precautions and not let the guard down said BhallaHe suggested that local and district administrations based on the normative framework and assessment of the situation should promptly take appropriate containment measuresNoting that the country has witnessed an overall decline in active cases Bhalla said the new variant Omicron designated as a VOC by the World Health Organisation WHO on November 26 2021 is reported to be at least three times more transmissible than the Delta VoC and is posing a new challenge for the COVID containment measuresIn the countries with Omicrondriven surge Bhalla mentioned the growth trajectory of cases has been very steep and that in our country 578 Omicron cases have already been reported in 19 states and UTsThe Home Secretary mentioned that Omicron cases have already been reported in 116 countries globallyFurther Bhalla said surge in cases is also being reported across various countries especially in the USA the UK Europe France Italy Spain Russia South Africa Vietnam and AustraliaIn this background in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoHFW advisory dated December 21 this year the officer said a normative framework has been providedWith the distinct presence of the Delta variant and detection of Omicron cases in many States there is need for greater foresight data analysis dynamic decision making and strict and prompt containment actions at the local and district levels based on the assessment of the situation Bhalla mentionedOn December 23 this year the Home Secretary said the Prime Minister has reviewed the status of Covid19 Omicron VoC and preparedness of health systems across the countryAfter review the Prime Minister has directed that we should be Satark and Saavdhan said the Home Secretary adding as per his directions it is important to maintain a high level of vigil and alertness at all levelsWith a view to discourage any misinformation in respect of the new VoC which creates anxiety among the public the Home Secretary also suggested all states and UTs to proactively and regularly hold media briefings at the highest level to disseminate the right information to themStatesUTs should also educate them about various preventive measures undertaken by them and also advise them to strictly follow COVID Appropriate Behaviour Bhalla addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever