Vikramaditya
Port Blair, Oct 01: The Union Home Secretary has issued Guidelines on Unlock-5 and National directives for COVID-19 management for public and work places. Following this Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, District Magistrate, South Andaman District have directed unlock -5 guidelines for South Andaman region, which came into effect from 01/10/2020 and shall remain in force upto 31/10/2020.
As per the directions, activities permitted during Unlock 4 period outside the Containment Zones in South Andaman District area.
In areas outside the Containment Zones, all activities will be permitted, except the following:
(i) The A&N Administration may take a decision in respect of re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, after 15th October 2020, in a graded manner. The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to the following conditions:
a. Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
b. Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so.
c. Students may attend schools/institutions only with the written consent of parents.
d. Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.
e. The A&N Administration will prepare its own standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/institutions based on the SOP to be issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.
(ii) The A&N Administration may take a decision on the timing of the opening of College/Higher Education Institutions as per the decisions taken by the Ministry of Higher Education. Online/distance learning shall continue to be preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works will be permitted to open from 15th October, 2020, as under: –
a. For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will satisfy herself/himself there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works.
b. For all other Higher Education Institutions, they may open only for research scholars (Ph.D) and postgraduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the Administration.
(iii) Swimming pools being used for training of sportsperson will be permitted to open with effect from 15th October, 2020, for which the SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S).
(iv) Cinemas/theatres/multiplexes will be permitted to open with upto 50% of their seating capacity, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, with effect from 15th October 2020, for which, SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
(v) Entertainment parks and similar places will be permitted to open with effect from 15th October, 2020, for which SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MoHFW).
(vi) Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions will be permitted to open, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, with effect from 15th October 2020, for which, SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce.
(vii) Social/academic/sports/entertainment/cultural/religious/political functions and other congregations with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones only. Such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons may be permitted, outside Containment Zones, by State/UT Governments only after 15th October 2020 and subject to the following conditions:
a. In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.
b. In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/space in view, and with strict observance of social distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.
State/UT Government will issue detailed SOPs, to regulate such gatherings and strictly enforce the same.
(viii) International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.
I. National Directives for COVID-19 Management
National Directives for COVID-19 Management, as specified in Annexure-I to the Order issued by the Union Home Secretary dt. 30th September 2020 shall be followed.
II. Lockdown limited to Containment Zones
(i) Lockdown shall remain in force in the Containment Zones till 31st October, 2020.
(ii) Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District Administration at micro level after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities be allowed. There shall strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services. In the Containment Zones, there shall be intensive contact tracing, house-to-house surveillance, and other clinical interventions, as required. Guidelines of MoHFW shall be effectively implemented for the above purpose.
III. Movement of passengers
(i) All incoming passengers from mainland shall be tested with RAPID Antigen Test at a cost of Rs.500 per head except medical patients along with an attendant. The cost of test shall be borne by passengers themselves. Passengers destined for Nicobar, Rangat Tehsil, Little Andaman shall be tested under RTCPR and will be compulsorily kept under Institutional quarantine, till they test Negative (-ve) for COVID-19 or for 7 days, whichever is earlier.
(ii) In case of passengers destined for Tribal areas (Nicobars District, Rangat Tehsil and Little Andaman) they shall also be tested for COVID-19.
(iii) All Drivers and helpers of cargo vehicles/ persons requiring emergency movement on the ATR and moving to the North & Middle Andaman District shall be tested first and allowed to move only if they test (-Ve) for COVID-19.
IV. All the private office, workplaces, shops, markets, industrial & commercial establishment rendering services/activities like Nursing Homes, Private Clinics, Hospitals, Chemists/Pharmacies, Petrol Pumps/Fuel Depots, Hotel and Restaurants, ATMs in South Andaman District shall function from 0700 hrs to 2130 hrs. All establishments shall display a board or banner in a prominent place, showing the right way of wearing mask, social distancing, washing hands and cough etiquettes.
V. All the establishments shall ensure strict adherence of COVID-19 protocols like wearing of masks and maintenance of social distancing/2 Gaz Ki Doori. It shall be sole responsibility of the owner/ in-charge of shop/business establishment to ensure strict compliance of National Directives on COVID-19 and SOPs failing which in addition to criminal proceedings, the shops/ business establishment shall be sealed for 14 days.
VI. Concerned department may also prepare consequential SOPs for strict enforcement of the above directions.
VII. Protection of vulnerable persons
Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes.
VIII. Use of Arogya Setu
(i) Aarogya Setu enables early identification of potential risk infection, and thus acts as a shield for individual and the community.
(ii) With a view to ensuring safety on offices and work places, employers on best efforts basis should ensure that Aarogya Setu is installed by all employees having compatible mobile phones.
IX. Any person violating the measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 besides legal action under section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable. They shall also be liable to pay fines as per the orders in force.
