Complete Lockdown, Random Sampling Ordered as govt issues SOP in Red Zones

Srinagar, April 14 (GNS): Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday issued guidelines as the SOP to be followed in the “Red Zones” by the concerned authorities of the Government.

As per it, the red zone will see a 100% lockdown and shall be completely sealed for any movement across its boundaries. No outward or inward movement would be allowed.

As far as possible, there shall be only one opening to the red zone to be manned by Naka party and Magistrate. “Stickers indicating Red Zone would be present at the point of entry / exit.”

The only movement across the red zone boundaries would be for supplies (medical, grocery, vegetables), medical emergencies, fumigation and sanitation, and enforcement and survey personnel, it said.

“All entry and exit to the zone would be with red zone passes and proper fumigation of vehicles, safety of personnel and safety tunnels.”

Surrounding villages, habitations are declared as Buffer Zones.

“The entire red zone will be under surveillance and the people will be contacted periodically for rechecking for symptoms,” it says

There would be a 100% survey and screening of all persons in the red zone. Surveillance procedure has been issued and will be reissued with improvements. The results of survey shall be integrated with Aarogya Setu as much as possible.

“There would be intensive testing of all contacts (already being done), of neighbours and of all those with symptoms. In addition, there would be random sampling testing.”

Detailed health screening of the contacts and all souls within 300m to be carried out and the survey results would be geo-mapped.

“As load increases, doctors will not have time to do contact tracing. Separate teams therefore need to be constituted for contact tracing, so that the doctors can handle medical load.”

Tehsildar or other suitable officer to be overall administrator of concerned Red Zone- assisted by Tehsil Supply Officer, Tehsil Social Welfare Officer, Jr. Engineer (PDD/PHE), Pharmacists to provide essential services, food, medicines etc.

“System of passes for essential services or emergency needs to be set up- all necessary precautions before entering/leaving red zones to be followed” reads the guidelines, a copy of which lies with GNS.

Dedicated Control Rooms shall be established for all Red Zones individually or in groups depending upon size of the red zone- can also be integrated with helpline/Call centre to address the needs of residents.

Designated officers have been asked to ensure provision of essential commodities while taking necessary precautions. In case of a medical emergency requiring hospitalisation, the same shall be certified by the concerned BMO and the patient along with one attendant only should be duly red stamped and then shifted in ambulance for further treatment. For Non-Covid medical treatment, DCs will make some parallel arrangements in select locations, particularly for issues such as dialysis and pregnancies.

All frontline staff especially medical personnel will be protected from violence and cared for. No Lawlessness will be tolerated. Vehicles will be allotted for Medical staff movement. If necessary vehicles will be withdrawn from others. Protection gear as prescribed for staff working in red zones will be provided. Medical staff handling suspects/ attending patients will be provided with PPE’s. There will be dedicated staff/ ambulance and PPEs to shift patients to Administrative Quarantine/ Hospitals.

Volunteers will be roped in for assistance and for ensuring home deliveries, to also be motivated to ensure that no movement / gathering takes place inside red zone, to create database of influencers in the village like religious leaders, Govt. servants PRI members and utilize them in spreading awareness and ensuring total lockdown.

Panchayat COVID AMCs will be used for surveillance, mask promotion, welfare measures.

To resolve grievances quickly an effective mechanism under a local officer will be set up. High Degree of Communication will be maintained. All important Information will be publicised regularly through electronic and social media for sensitization of all and Queries shall be answered. Announcements will be made through PA Systems on DOs & DONTs, advise to stay at home, social distancing, hand hygiene. Pamphlets will be distributed during surveillance/ door to door survey by surveillance teams. (GNS)