Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government has authorized the district officials to enforce local restrictions, including night curfews, based on the evaluation and requirement of the situation as an attempt to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As indicated by a circular issued by Chief Secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari, the District Magistrates (DMs) can evaluate the situation and make a move accordingly.
Tiwari said based upon their evaluation of the situation and the requirement, the DMs could clamp down night curfews and enforce Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) even outside a containment area to contain the spread of the infection.
He additionally requested the DMs to guarantee demarcation of containment area at the micro-level in accordance with the Centre’s call for “dynamic containment zones”.
The Chief Secretary has, in any case, explained that no lockdown outside the containment zones could be enforced without prior approval from the Central government.
The rules applicable to social and other gatherings, including marriage functions, outside containment zones would continue as before as issued by the state government on November 23.
Tiwari directed the officials by saying that it has to be ensured that no movement of people in or out of these zones, except medical emergencies and the supply of essential goods and services is allowed.
The Chief Secretary said, however, the number of positive COVID-19 cases had declined in many spots, the positivity rate had increased in certain cities, he added, calling for extreme alert and alertness since the infection may additionally spread because of festive events and the chilly climate.
He said that the surveillance units formed for this purpose will necessarily do intensive monitoring of every house under the containment zones and quick isolation of COVID-19 patients will be ensured.
Tiwari stated that in cities where the weekly COVID case positivity rate is more than 10 per cent, the officials concerned will consider implementing staggered office timings and other suitable measures to reduce the number of employees attending office at the same time, thereby, ensuring social-distancing.
The new rules advise the vulnerable, including individuals over 65 years, and those with co-morbidity, pregnant women and kids under 10 years, not to step out of their house except if it is essential for a medical emergency.