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- Kerala, the first State in the country to have a Covid-19 positive case on January 30,
- On Tuesday had 327 confirmed cases and 1,52,804 people under observation, including 795 in hospitals.
- The 17-member task force headed by former chief secretary KM Abraham submitted the report.
RECOMMENDATION
- “The time is not right for full withdrawal of the lockdown on April 14.
- The committee recommends a withdrawal strategy that should be gradual, phased and calibrated to ensure that caseload is always kept below the (surge) capacity of the healthcare system to deal with it,” said the 17-member committee “Continuing to restrict large scale movement of people across international and state boundaries is critical and
- Should not be considered unless and until the situation is under control in every state,“ the report said.
- It suggested that Districts should be the designated units for relaxing the lockdown restrictions.
- The easing can happen over three phases with the first review falling on April 15.
THREE-PHASE RELAXATION OF LOCKDOWN
Criteria for Phase I:-
- There has been not more than ONE new case in that district for the entire week prior to the date of the review.
- There has been no increase more than 10% of the number of persons under home surveillance in that District in last 7 days from the date of the review.
- There are no hotspots of Covid infection anywhere in the district as identified by the Health Department.
Criteria for Phase II:-
- There has not been more than one new case of Covid infection in that district the entire fortnight prior to the date of the review.
- There has been not more than a 5% increase in the number of persons under home surveillance in that District from the date of the previous review.
- There are no Covid infection hotspots in the district.
Criteria for Phase III relaxation of lockdown:-
- There has been no new case of Covid infection in that district for the fortnight prior to the date of review.
- There has been a decrease of more than 5% of the number of persons under home surveillance in that District from the date of the previous review.
- There are no hotspots of Covid infection anywhere in the district as identified by the Health Department.
- The report added that-
- A phased exit from the lockdown will help mitigate the economic, famine and law and order issues that may emerge from a prolonged lockdown.
NATIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISM
- As different Indian states are expected to pass through the peak infection at different timings,
- It will be useful and important to establish a national coordination mechanism.
- So that states could support one another with experience, expertise, equipment and finances
TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
- In 1st phase, only buses will be allowed to operate, that too locally.
- In 2nd phase, inter-district movement of buses will be allowed.
- In 3rd phase, buses from outside the state can be allowed.
- Trains & international flights can be allowed only in the last phase.
- Each phase would last about 15 days, ending in July.
GENERAL MEASURES THAT SHOULD BE ENFORCED TILL JUNE 30
- All persons permitted to come outside their house have to compulsorily wear a mask.
- If weddings are to be held the people concerned should get permission from the local body.
- Air conditioning in all work areas including office spaces, personal cars, public transport should be disallowed.