MHA extends COVID-19 guidelines upto 31 Jan, warns of new virus strain from UK

Dec. 28: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the earlier guidelines for COVID-19 surveillance to remain in force up to 31 January 2021. The new guidelines stated, “Keeping in view the surge in cases globally and the emergence of a new variant of the virus in the United Kingdom, there is a need to maintain surveillance, containment and caution.”

The MHA asked the states and union territories to keep a strict vigil to prevent any rise in cases during the New Year celebrations and the winter season.

Besides, testing will be carried out as per the prescribed protocol, the listing of contacts will be carried out in respect of everyone found COVID positive, along with their tracking, identification, quarantine and follow-up of contacts for 14 days.

Surveillance for Influenza-like infections (ILI), Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) cases will be carried out in health facilities or outreach mobile units or through fever clinics in buffer zones.

The guidelines said the state and UT govt will take all necessary measures to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and to ensure strict enforcement of wearing of face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.

The ministry said a focused approach on surveillance and containment and a strict observance of the guidelines and SOPs issued by it and the health ministry, as envisaged in the guidelines issued last month, need to be enforced by the states and union territories.