South Andaman District declared as ‘Hotspot District’ with Clusters

Activities permitted under Consolidated Revised Guidelines issued by MHA will be applicable only in North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar Districts

 Port Blair, Apr 19: In pursuance of the announcements of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued an order extending the lockdown in India till May 3^rd, 2020. 

•   However, it has been decided to allow select additional activities in areas not demarcated as containment zones by States/ UTs/ District Administrations from 20^th April and consolidated guidelines listing out all such activities have been issued.

•    The objective of the revised guidelines is to consolidate the gains achieved during the 1st phase of lockdown, further slowdown the spread of Covid-19 while at the same time provide relief to farmers, labourers and daily wage earners.

•    These guidelines however shall be applicable to the Districts of North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar only.

•    The activities permitted under the revised guidelines, from 20^th April, 2020 will not be allowed in the entire South Andaman District including Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep and Little Andaman. The South Andaman District has been declared as a Hotspot District with Clusters by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare due to identification of 4 new positive cases in past 3 days. Hence, no unchecked inward/ outward movement of population would be allowed, except for maintaining essential services, i.e., medical emergencies, law & order duties, and government business continuity. Strict vigil will be kept to restrict movement in the containment zone with only essential medical and food supplies being allowed to move, surveillance activities and essential government work. Pharmacies and groceries will be open and will work with strict social distancing and hygiene practices. All non-emergency movement is strictly prohibited and wearing mask / face cover is essential when stepping out of the house.

•    Keeping the imperative of containing the spread of COVID-19 in the country, National Directives for COVID-19 management have been laid down, which shall be enforced by the District Magistrates through fines and penal action as prescribed in the Disaster Management Act, 2005 against all violators of the guidelines. The public is hereby requested to abide by these guidelines.