Omicron in India: Govt asks states to consider night curfew

Amidst a steady rise in cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19 across India, the government has enhanced the level of warning by considering measures like night curfew and ban on large gatherings if more than 10 percent of all tests in a week turn positive or if occupancy of hospital beds breaches 40 percent capacity.

The measures were spelt out in an advisory sent by Indian Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan to chief secretaries of all states and federally-run territories last evening as the total number of Omicron cases reached 220 in a timespan of three weeks since the first case came to light on December 2, reports our New Delhi correspondent. 

With 54 each, Delhi and the state of Maharashtra are the largest contributors to India's total tally of Omicron cases so far.

"Based on current scientific evidence, the variant of concern (VOC), Omicron, is at least 3 times more transmissible than the Delta VOC. Besides, the Delta VOC is still present in different parts of the country. Hence, even greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making and strict and prompt containment action is required at the local and district level," said Bhushan's letter, calling for "prompt and focused" decisions by all authorities.

Among other steps recommended by the Indian government include strict and constant review of district-level data of "population affected by Covid-19, geographical spread, hospital infrastructure and its utilisation, manpower," containment zones so that "infection is contained at the local level itself before it spreads to other parts of the state", the letter said.

The letter makes it clear, however, that the two thresholds of 10 percent test positivity and 40 percent hospital bed occupancy would not bound local authorities to take measures based on the situation there and population characteristics even earlier.

The official suggested "imposition of night curfew, strict regulation of large gatherings, curtailing numbers in marriages and funerals and restricting numbers in offices, industries and public transport."

Bhushan also proposed stepping up of door-to-door case search, testing of all severe acute respiratory infections-influenza like illness and of vulnerable and co-morbid people and contact-tracing of all Covid-positive persons and their timely testing.