MICRO-CONTAINMENT ZONES: COPS TO BE DEPLOYED OUTSIDE HOUSING SOCIETIES IN MUMBAI

According to the new guidelines, any housing society having more than 5 active COVID-19 cases will be declared as a micro-containment zone in Mumbai. On Tuesday, 6th April, the Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai, Iqbal Singh Chahal, told that, outside each society of micro-containment zone, police personnel will be deployed. This will make sure that the residents are following COVID-appropriate behavior. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in its fresh circular, mentioned that, inside micro-containment zones, any visitors from outside will not be allowed, and thereby monitoring resident’s movement will be the responsibility of the society. The police personnel should keep an eye on the resident’s movement and ensure strict implementation of all the COVID-related guidelines. Adding to this, neither any residents will be allowed to exit the society, nor any outsiders will be given entry, except a few specific cases like any medical emergency, board exams, or other unavoidable conditions. During any such exceptional condition, it will be mandatory to seek permission from the society’s secretary/chairman and the respective police personnel. Delivery of essential items like groceries, medicines, milk, and newspaper will not be allowed inside society. However, these items can be collected/received from the society’s gate/office/watchman booth. All these items should be collected/taken away by the flat owners from the society gate by themselves. Failure in maintaining/following any of the COVID-related guidelines will lead to a fine of ₹ 10,000 (on Society) for the first time, and if the mistake is repeated then the fine will be ₹ 20,000. If any active COVID patient from society violates the norms, then an FIR will be registered against him/her. Only the health officials will be allowed inside micro-containment zones for inspection, monitoring, and home-collection of COVID-19 test swabs will be allowed in. Maharashtra is currently observing weekday restrictions, and weekend lockdowns, which will last up to 30th April. The private laboratories are told to release the COVID-19 test results within 24-hours after swab collection, and the test results should be reported first to the civic body and then to the tested person.