Union Health Ministry has issued detailed guidelines for urban areas

The document contains surveillance, containment and clinical management measures among others for densely populated urban settlements.

As per the guidelines, the surveillance system for Covid-19 in urban areas should be strengthened and strict perimeter control be maintained in containment zones with Section 144 enforced to ensure people remain in their dwelling units.

It was said that in most of the cities or towns, the disease surveillance system is not as well organised as in the rural areas. The guideline says, therefore, the surveillance system will be strengthened for surveillance and contact tracing mechanism.

This will include identification of the health workers in the health posts, dispensaries, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife, ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers, municipal health staff, sanitation staff, community health volunteers and other volunteers.

It said, an orientation training will be organised by the Chief Medical Officer or Executive Health Officer to train the identified surveillance workers which would emphasize on the basic information on COVID-19, orientation on basic Dos and Don’ts with focus on hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, environmental sanitation and use of face masks.

It said, social distancing will be a major challenge due to many people crammed into very small living spaces.