Omicron: DGHS issues 15-point guideline

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issued a 15-point guideline in order to prevent the highly-transmittable Omicron variant of coronavirus amid the surge in overall COVID cases.

The guidelines are

• Health examining and screening of passengers arriving from Omicron-hit countries have to be strengthened at all ports
• All social, political, religious and other gatherings will be discouraged
• If anyone goes out of home s/he has to maintain all health rules, including wearing mask properly
• Restaurants to be allowed to offer in-person dining at half of their capacities or below that
• Tourist spots, recreation centres, resorts, community centres, theatres and movie halls will operate at half of their capacities
• Maintaining health protocols and wearing mask need to be ensured in all places of worship, including mosques
• Maintenance of health guidelines have to be ensured at public transport
• 14-day quarantine must be ensured for those returning to the country from Omicron-hit countries
• Steps need to be taken so that health guidelines are maintained in all educational institutions (madrasah, pre-primary, primary, secondary, higher secondary educational institutions, universities and coaching centres)
• All medical service providers, medical service seekers and health workers in all health service institutions should abide by heath protocols, including wearing masks that cover face and nose.
• Those who have not yet got vaccinated have to take vaccines
• Quarantine has to be ensured for those having Covid-19 symptoms, COVID positive patients and people who came in contact with COVID patients
• People with COVID symptoms can be kept in isolation and they can be provided help for collecting their samples for COVID test with coordination of local authorities concerned
• Using masks needs to be ensured in all offices
• Mask us is mandatory even for those who are already vaccinated
• The authorities concerned should take steps to make people aware about maintaining health guidelines to stem Covid-19 by announcing it through loudspeakers and publicity
• Concerned ward councillor, Union Parishad members and elected public representatives can be involved for this purpose.
• The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of the Ministry of Health has urged all to maintain the directives strictly, said a PID handout.