Union Home Secy writes to states, UTs to ensure compliance of new guidelines for extended lockdown

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories (UTs), asking them to ensure compliance of new guidelines issued for the extended lockdown till May 31.

"I would urge you to ensure compliance of the new guidelines and direct all concerned authorities for their strict implementation. Further guidelines issued by the MHA and consequent orders issued by the respective state governments/UT administrations should be widely disseminated to the public and to the field functionaries for the convenience of people," Bhalla said on Sunday.

He also told the states and UTs not to dilute guidelines issued by the MHA.

"States/UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain other activities in various zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary," Bhalla said.

The Home Secretary stated that under the new guidelines effective from May 18, "states and UTs will now categorise Red, Orange and Green zones taking into consideration the revised guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on May 17."

"Inside the red/orange zones, containment and buffer zones will be identified by the district administration/local urban bodies with technical inputs at the local level and by taking into consideration the Health Ministry guidelines," he said.

Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and no movement of persons would be allowed across the zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining the supply of essential goods and services, Bhalla further said.