MHA: States can impose need-based restrictions

NEW DELHI: Amid initial signs of surge in cases of COVID-19 as well as increased detection of Omicron variant in different parts of the country, the Centre on Monday issued a fresh advisory to all States and UTs to deal with the pandemic situation.

In the advisory, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said States and Union Territories may consider imposing need based, local curbs and restrictions, to control the crowd during the festive season.

Asking States and UTs not to let the guard down, he emphasised that there should be continued focus on the five-fold strategy -- Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour to avoid the possibility of surge in COVID-19 cases, especially keeping in view the new Variant of Concern (VOC).

He asked the States and UTs to refer to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order issued for ensuring implementation of the measures as conveyed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on December 21.

“The country has witnessed an overall decline in active cases. However, the new variant, Omicron is reported to be at least three times more transmissible than the Delta VOC, and is posing a new challenge for the Covid containment measures,” the communication said.

In the countries with Omicron-driven surge, the home secretary said, the growth trajectory of cases has been very steep and in our country, 578 Omicron cases have already been reported in 19 States and UTs so far.

He said globally, Omicron cases have already been reported in 116 countries. Further, surge in cases is also being reported across various countries, especially in the US, the UK, Europe (France, Italy, Spain), Russia, South Africa, Vietnam, Australia, etc. In the MoHFW advisory of December 21, Bhalla said a normative framework has been provided and with 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.

“I would like to reiterate that all the States and UTs must observe all precautions, and not let the guard down. Local and district administration, based on the normative framework and assessment of the situation, should promptly take appropriate containment measures. States may consider imposing need based, local curbs and restrictions, to control the crowd during the festive season,” he said.

CHENNAI: As the threat of Omicron variant spread is looming large, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has instructed all the technical institutions to decide on their own on conducting offline or online classes according to the pandemic situation. It also instructed the institutions to be prepared to conduct online classes and virtual exams in case of another wave of the pandemic.

In his circular to vice-chancellors and principals of technical institutions, including engineering and polytechnic colleges, AICTE member-secretary Rajive Kumar said the government’s ultimate aim was to contain the spread of coronavirus and its Variants of Concern. The institutions could take an appropriate decision on opening campuses to conduct classes and examination in the offline, online or blended mode in accordance with the guidelines.

The official also instructed the institutions to ensure strict enforcement of COVID appropriate behaviour at all times and at all places in higher education institutions.

With the number of Omicron cases increasing at many states, including Tamil Nadu, Rajive Kumar has instructed the institutions to strictly follow all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the State government or competent authorities from time to time.

He said the council would constantly monitor the academic activities in the institutions that come under its purview and would issue appropriate guidelines regularly in connection with online classes and semester examinations, internships, sharing of internet bandwidth with other colleges, etc.

The national-level statutory body also instructed the institutions to be prepared to conduct online classes and virtual exams in case of another wave of the pandemic