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States can impose local restrictions to check Covid spread: Home Ministry

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(Asian News Hub) – The Centre on Tuesday issued a fresh set of COVID-19 guidelines for the month of April asking the states to strictly enforce Test-Track-Treat (T3) protocol, other containment measures and step up the speed of ongoing vaccination drives in the country.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in its order said the Government of India has launched the world’s largest vaccination drive against COVID-19, which is going on smoothly, but the pace is uneven across different states and Union Territories (UTs).

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“The slow pace of vaccination in some states/UTs is a matter of concern. Vaccination against COVID-19, in the present scenario, is critical to break the chain of transmission.

Therefore, all state/UT governments should rapidly step up the pace of vaccination, to cover all priority groups in an expeditious manner,” the MHA said.

Talking about the main focus of the guidelines, the MHA in its order said states and UTs collectively need “to consolidate the substantial gains achieved in containing the spread of COVID-19”, which was visible in the sustained decline in the number of active cases, continuously for about five months. 

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It, however, said, “Keeping in view a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, which is being witnessed in some parts of the country, the guidelines mandate the state/UT governments to strictly enforce the Test-Track-Treat (T3) protocol in all parts of the country and ensure observance of COVID appropriate behaviour by everyone.”

The MHA has also asked that in states and UTs, where the proportion of RT-PCR tests is less, they should rapidly increase it to reach the prescribed level of 70 per cent or more.

“The new positive cases, detected as a result of intensive testing, need to be isolated at the earliest and provided timely treatment. Even their contacts have to be traced at the earliest and similarly isolated,” it said.

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Asking for listing of containment zones, the MHA said they should be notified on the websites by the respective District Collectors and by the states/UTs. This list will also be shared with MoHFW on a regular basis, it added.

Asking for fixing accountability at the local level, the MHA in the guidelines said district, police and municipal authorities “shall be responsible to ensure that the prescribed containment measures are strictly followed”.

“For strict enforcement of wearing face masks, hand hygiene and social distancing, states and UTs may consider administrative actions, including imposition of appropriate fines,” the MHA said. 

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The guidelines have allowed restrictions only at the local level, based on the assessment of the authorities at district/sub-district and city/ward level, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19.  

AGENCY

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Asian News Hub is a digital media platform, operating from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

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State

Man dies as tractor turns turtle in Sopore

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A man lost his life on Sunday morning as tractor turned turtle in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramula district.

Also Read: SMC Corporator Aqib Renzu in custody on charges of sexual harassment

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Quoting an official news agency KS reported that a man was critically injured on Sunday morning after a tractor in which he was travelling turned turtle at Badambagh.

He said soon after the incident, he was immediately taken to Sub District Hospital Sopore, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

A police officer confirmed the incident and identified the deceased as Farooz Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Hamid Bhat resident of Badambagh.

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SMC Corporator Aqib Renzu in custody on charges of sexual harassment

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Srinagar police on Saturday said to have arrested a Srinagar Municpal Corporation (SMC) Corporator for sexual harassment, outraging modesty and online stalking.

Also Read: Man slips to death while collecting firewood in central Kashmir

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They said strong technical evidences in this matter were produced by the brave victim, the accused has been identified as Aqib Ahmed Renzu resident of Nishat Srinagar.

Case under FIR No 50/2023 U/S 354, 354A, 354D registered in RM Bagh Police station.

Srinagar police on X informed, “One SMC corporator Aqib Ahmed Renzu of Nishat Srinagar arrested for sexual harassment, outraging modesty and online stalking. Strong technical evidences in this matter were produced by the brave victim. FIR No 50/2023 U/S 354, 354A, 354D registered in RM Bagh Police station.”

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Man slips to death while collecting firewood in central Kashmir

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A man died after he slipped while collecting firewood in Rezan forest area in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Saturday.

An official told that Showkat Ahmad Tekri, son of Gh Hassan Tekri of Gujerbasti Rezan slipped and fell down from the upper reaches of the forest area, which resulted in his on spot death.

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The heavy rainfall had triggered slippery conditions in the area.

He said that soon after the incident, police reached the spot and recovered his body.

“After medico-legal formalities, his body will be handed over to her family members for the last rites,” he said. KNO

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