NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: Authorities in Noida and Ghaziabad have clarified that containment zones will neither be sealed nor any services stopped there as of now, putting to rest confusion among residents about restrictions on movement. Officials said areas were being identified as containment zones only for better screening and contact tracing.

“Containment zones are redefined with wider perimeter for the purposes of ‘medical surveillance activity’…. There shall be no sealing or stopping of movement of persons. However, it is advised to the residents living in those containment zones/areas to exercise self-restraint and follow all precautionary measures of Covid protocol,” Noida district magistrate Suhas LY issued a clarification. According to the officials, a particular area would be sealed only if there is enough reason to believe that it is leading to the spread of cases. For instance, if data suggests that cases in an area are increasing following a gathering at a community centre, it may be sealed.

Residents’ Welfare Associations have been asked to take decisions on whether to stop household services or continue with them after taking feedback from flat owners. The issue of whether to allow domestic services or not in societies had become a bone of contention among residents last year, with several RWAs being accused of excesses.

“Since we are a year wiser and have better mechanisms at place, we will not be micromanaging the norms in every society or sector. RWAs can take decisions based on consensus to reduce infection. If there are complaints from any society, we will address them on a case-to-case basis,” said Suhas LY.

In Ghaziabad too, there will be no curbs on movement in containment zones as of now. The authorities, however, said they would strengthen surveillance. “All incident commanders have been briefed about the state’s guidelines and asked to ensure strict compliance. The additional district magistrate (city) has been made the nodal officer and he would monitor the situation. There will be no sealing as of now. Only surveillance and containment activities will be carried out in the containment zones,” said Ajay Shankar Pandey, the district magistrate.

According to the UP government’s redefined guidelines on containment, if a house reports a single case, all buildings in a 25-metre radius (approximately 20 houses) would be considered a containment zone. A surveillance team will be dedicated for every two such houses. If there are multiple cases in a single house, all buildings within a 50-metre radius (approximately 60 houses) would be part of the containment zone.

In highrise societies, if there is just one case in a flat, the floor will be a containment zone. If there are multiple cases, the tower will be considered a hotspot. If there are several cases or in any other specific situation, the district administration would take a call after consulting the chief medical officer. These areas will be part of containment for 14 days from the day the last sample has been collected from there.

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