Risk intelligence (18/03/2021) - India
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COVID-19 UPDATE
Indian authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziabad districts have imposed prohibitory orders against public gatherings with immediate effect in view of the rising COVID-19 graphs in Delhi & the National Capital Region (NCR), India. The order has been enforced in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad - three important satellite cities near Delhi, and will be in force till 30 April at least. Authorities may extend the order depending on the prevailing outbreak situations there.
The prohibitory order was announced at a time when the country in general has been reporting a resurgence of COVID-19 infections. Fear prevails that the transmission rate may take a jump after the upcoming number of social and religious events/celebrations - Holi (29 March), Good Friday (2 April), BR Ambedkar's birth anniversary (14 April), Ram Navami (21 April), and the Ramzan month/Eid-ul-Fitr (April-May) - over the next two months. Public gatherings may facilitate the spread of the virus as media continue to underline violation of COVID-19 safety guidelines during such events. The number of people prosecuted for such violations has also come down in Delhi in recent time.
The government order on the restriction mentions the following.
Everyone need to follow COVID-19 protocols, including use of face masks, while in public places.
No one is allowed to carry sticks, rods, or firearms in public places, except for differently-abled and vision-impaired individuals.
No protest gatherings are allowed without permission by the authorities concerned (though farmers' protests are likely to continue).
No festivity is allowed in the areas demarcated as COVID-19 containment zones.
In Ghaziabad, everyone needs to use face masks while visiting theatres, multiplexes, shopping complexes, hotels, schools, and colleges.
No eating is allowed inside the sweet shops.
Advice
Clients based in Delhi-NCR, especially Ghaziabad and Noida/Greater Noida regions, are advised to take note of the new government directives. The COVID-19 numbers have been rising in the region as currently Delhi and Uttar Pradesh has more than 2,000 active patients each. Active caseload is approaching 4,000-mark in Haryana, where similar orders restricting public gatherings and movements are possible, especially in the districts like Gurugram and Faridabad which share borders with Delhi.