South Andaman District Issues SOPs for Unlock 4 Period

Details

Port Blair, Aug 31: In pursuance of powers vested under the Disaster Management Act 2005, and in order to enforce strict compliance of the National Directives on COVID-19 and contain the spread of COVID-19 in South Andaman District, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, District Magistrate, South Andaman has issued the following SOPs.

  1. Activities permitted during Unlock 4 period outside containment zones in South Andaman District:

In areas outside the Containment Zones, all activities will be permitted except the following:

  1. Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity upto 30th Sept. 2020. However, the following will be permitted:
  2. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
  3. 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/ tele-counseling and related work, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, with effect from 21st September 2020, subject to strict adherence of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
  4. Students of class 9 to 12 will be permitted to visit schools, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, on voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers, subject to the written consent of their parents/ guardians subject to strict adherence of the SOP of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
  5. Skill or Entrepreneurship training will be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (it is), Short term training centres registered with National Skill Development Corporation of State Skill Development Missions or other Ministries of Government of India or State Government. National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and their training providers will also be permitted. These will be permitted with effect from 21st Sep. 2020, subject to strict adherence to the SOP of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post graduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory/ experimental works. These will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education in consultation with MHA, based on the assessment of the situation, and keeping in view incidence of COVID-19 in the District.
  6. Social / academic/ sports / entertainment/ cultural / religious / political functions and other congregations with a ceiling of 100 persons, will be permitted with effect from 21st Sept. 2020 with mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.

However, marriage related gathering with number of guests not exceeding 50 and funeral / last rites related gathering with number of persons not exceeding 20 will continue to be allowed upto 20th Sept. 2020 after which the ceiling of 100 persons will apply.

iii. Cinema Halls, Swimming Pools, Entertainment Parks, Theatres and similar places will remain closed.

  1. International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.
  2. National Directive 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. 29th August 2020 shall be followed.

III. Lockdown limited to Containment Zones

Lockdown shall remain in force in the Containment Zones till 30th Sept. 2020.

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. These shall be 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 HoHFW shall be effectively implemented for the above persons.

Movement of Passengers

All incoming passengers from mainland shall be tested with RT-PCR/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 passenger themselves. Passengers destined for Nicobar, Rangat Tehsil, Little Andaman shall be tested under RT-PCR and will be compulsorily kept under institutional quarantine, till they test negative for COVID-19 or for 7 days, whichever is earlier.

In case of all passengers destined to other Islands from Port Blair through Ship/ Boat, they shall be tested, in compliance with the directions of the Shipping Department.

iii. All Drivers and helpers of cargo vehicle/ persons requiring movement on the ATR and moving to the North & Middle Andaman District shall also be tested first and allowed to move only of they test (-ve) for COVID-19 in compliance with the directions of the Tribal Welfare Department.

  1. All private offices, workplaces, shops, markets, industrial & commercial establishment in South Andaman District shall function from 0830 hrs to 1830 hrs.
  2. The private offices, workplaces, shops, markets, industrial & commercial establishments rendering services/ activities like Nursing homes, Private Clinics, Hospitals, Chemists/ Pharmacies, Petrol Pumps/ Fuel Depots, Hotel and Restaurant, ATMs shall function from 0830 hrs to 2130 hrs.

VII. All establishments shall ensure strict adherence of COVID-19 protocols like wearing of masks and maintenance of social distancing/ 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.

VIII. Concerned department may also prepare consequential SOPs for strict enforcement of the above directions.

  1. 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.

  1. Use of Aarogya Setu
  2. Aarogya Setu enables early identification of potential risk infection, and thus acts as a shield for individual and the community.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

This order shall come into effect from 01.09.2020 and shall remain in force upto 30.09.2020.