Centre releases new SOP 'Test-track-treat' across the country to control Covid-19

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an SOP order which shall be effective from April 1- April 30 called 'Test-Track-Treat' protocol for effective control of the pandemic.

The new protocol stresses seven points. States and Union territories have been instructed to increase RT-PCR tests to reach the prescribed level of 70 per cent or more. Those detected positive need to be isolated or quarantined at the earliest and provided timely treatment. The contacts of those detected positive must be traced and isolated.

Based on positive cases and their contacts, district authorities shall demarcate containment zones considering the guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The list of containment zones will be then notified on the websites of the respective district collectors.

Within these containment zones, all measures prescribed by MoHFW, including strict perimeter control, intensive house-to-house surveillance, contact tracing and surveillance for influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), would be implemented. The responsibility of ensuring that the guidelines are followed shall lie on local district, police and municipal authorities.

The National Directive for Covid-19 management shall continue to be followed and also the local restrictions imposed by states and UTs based on their assessment of the situation. States and UTS can also consider administrative actions like fines to enforce protocols like mandatory wearing of masks and social distancing.

There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods, including those for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission or e-permit will be required for such activities.

All activities have been permitted outside containment zones, and SOPs have been prescribed for various activities. These include movement by passenger trains, air travel, metro trains, schools, higher educational institutions, hotels and restaurants, shopping malls, multiplexes and entertainment parks, yoga centres and gymnasiums, exhibitions, assemblies and congregations.