With coronavirus spreading at an alarming rate across the world, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released a set of guidelines for social distancing which is a non-pharmaceutical infection prevention and control intervention implemented to avoid/decrease contact between those who are infected with the disease-causing pathogen and those who are not to stop the further spread.
With coronavirus spreading at an alarming rate across the world, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released a set of guidelines for social distancing which is a non-pharmaceutical infection prevention and control intervention implemented to avoid/decrease contact between those who are infected with the disease-causing pathogen and those who are not to stop the further spread.
By doing this, it is expected to eventually lead to a decrease in spread, morbidity and mortality due to the disease.
The release said that the following interventions shall be in force till 31st of March 2020 and they will be reviewed further as per the evolving situation.
The following interventions are proposed:
1. Closure of all educational establishments (schools, universities etc), gyms, museums, cultural and social centres, swimming pools and theatres. Students should be advised to stay at home. Online education to be promoted.
2. Possibility of postponing exams may be explored. Ongoing exams to be conducted only after ensuring the physical distance of one meter amongst students.
3. Encourage private sector organizations/employers to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible.
4. Meetings, as far as feasible, shall be done through video conferences. Minimize or reschedule meetings involving a large number of people unless necessary.
5. Restaurants to ensure handwashing protocol and proper cleanliness of frequently touched surfaces. Ensure physical distancing (minimum 1 metre) between tables; encourage open-air seating where practical with adequate distancing.
6. Keep already planned weddings to a limited gathering, postpone all non-essential social and cultural gatherings.
7. Local authorities to have a discussion with organizers of sporting events and competitions involving large gatherings and they may be advised to postpone such events.
8. Local authorities to have a discussion with opinion leaders and religious leaders to regulate mass gatherings and should ensure no overcrowding with at least one-metre distance between people.
9. Local authorities to have a meeting with traders associations and other stakeholders to regulate hours, exhibit Do's and Don'ts and take up a communication drive, in market places like vegetable markets, bus depots, railway stations. post-offices etc., where essential services are provided.
10. All commercial activities must keep a distance of one meter between customers. Measures to reduce peak hour crowding in markets.
11. Non-essential travel should be avoided. Buses, Trains and aeroplanes to maximize social distancing in public transport besides ensuring regular and proper disinfection of surfaces.
12. Hospitals to follow the necessary protocol related to COVID-19 management as prescribed and restrict family/friends/children visiting patients in hospitals.
13. Hygiene and physical distancing have to be maintained. Shaking hands and hugging as a matter of greeting to be avoided.
14. Special protective measures for delivery men/ women working in online ordering services.
15. Keep communities informed consistently and constantly.
The following two weeks are considered to be a crucial period for India and hence these preventive measures are to adhered to the maximum to break the spread of the pandemic in the country.