G.O.Ms.No.221, Guidelines for Demarcation of Containment Zone to Control Corona Virus

Purpose

Government Order G.O.Ms.No.221, dated 4 May 2020, provides a framework for district administrations and local bodies to define COVID-19 containment zones. The boundaries must be based on the locations of cases and contacts, their geographical spread, whether the area has a clear perimeter, and whether restrictions can be enforced. A buffer zone must also be marked around each containment zone.

The notification says a district is a Green Zone when it has had no confirmed cases, or no reported case during the previous 21 days. The classification list was to be revised weekly or earlier. States could add red or orange zones but could not relax classifications communicated by the Ministry.

Areas that may be included

The guidelines allow containment zones to be adapted to local conditions:

• In urban areas, a residential colony, neighbourhood, municipal ward, police station area, municipal zone, town or similar area may be selected.
• In rural areas, a village, group of villages, police station group, gram panchayat or block may be selected.
• For a single case or fewer than five positive cases in a village panchayat, the affected village, habitation or hamlet may be contained. Neighbouring areas may be included when the residence is near a boundary.
• In corporations, municipalities and town panchayats, the affected street is generally contained. An adjoining street may be included when the residence is at a street corner.
• Five or more positive cases in a locality are treated as a cluster. A village or group of villages containing clusters may be brought under containment.

Restrictions and health measures

The containment plan requires:

• Clear entry and exit points and strict perimeter control.
• No movement except for medical emergencies and essential goods and services.
• Recording and follow-up of people passing through the area.
• House-to-house searches for cases by special teams.
• Testing, contact tracing and clinical management of confirmed cases.
• Surveillance for Influenza Like Illness and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness in buffer zones.
• Isolation or hospital admission for positive cases, and home or facility quarantine for high-risk contacts.
• Avoidance of mass gatherings, hand washing, respiratory hygiene, surface cleaning and disinfection.

Relevance to property owners and occupants

Government Order G.O.Ms.No.221 does not address land title, ownership, registration or land use. It may affect access to a home, business or other property located within a containment or buffer zone because movement and entry can be restricted while containment measures apply.