Markets in containment zones to remain shut, check new Health Ministry guidelines here

The Health Ministry has released SOPs on preventive measures to be taken in markets to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Moneycontrol News

December 01, 2020 / 07:22 AM IST

With most of India immersing itself in festivities over the past months, a spike in the daily number of coronavirus cases has been noticed in several states. Therefore, in view of the current COVID-19 situation, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) issued fresh guidelines to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

According to the new Health Ministry guidelines, markets located in containment zones will remain shut and only those outside of containment zones will be allowed to function.

For live updates on coronavirus, click here

The Centre has also urged persons in vulnerable categories such as those aged above 65 years and those with comorbidities to stay at home and only step out if absolutely necessary.

#IndiaFightsCorona #Unite2FightCorona

SOP on preventive measures in markets to contain spread of #COVID19 released.https://t.co/kcgRvHJfB9 pic.twitter.com/icXcJHEXmt
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) November 30, 2020

Even shop employees who fall under high-risk categories have been advised to take extra precautions and avoid indulging in work-related activities that involve coming in direct contact with the public.

The ministry has also reminded people to adhere to COVID-appropriate behaviour including social distancing, use of face masks, etc.

The Health Ministry has said it will get in touch with the Market Owners Associations to ensure strict implementation of the new coronavirus rules. These market associations will have to form a sub-committee to facilitate the implementation of the new coronavirus rules for markets outside containment zones and monitor the proper implementation of the same alongside COVID-appropriate behaviour.

COVID-19 Vaccine

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a vaccine work?

A vaccine works by mimicking a natural infection. A vaccine not only induces immune response to protect people from any future COVID-19 infection, but also helps quickly build herd immunity to put an end to the pandemic. Herd immunity occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population becomes immune to a disease, making the spread of disease from person to person unlikely. The good news is that SARS-CoV-2 virus has been fairly stable, which increases the viability of a vaccine.

How many types of vaccines are there?

There are broadly four types of vaccine — one, a vaccine based on the whole virus (this could be either inactivated, or an attenuated [weakened] virus vaccine); two, a non-replicating viral vector vaccine that uses a benign virus as vector that carries the antigen of SARS-CoV; three, nucleic-acid vaccines that have genetic material like DNA and RNA of antigens like spike protein given to a person, helping human cells decode genetic material and produce the vaccine; and four, protein subunit vaccine wherein the recombinant proteins of SARS-COV-2 along with an adjuvant (booster) is given as a vaccine.

What does it take to develop a vaccine of this kind?

Vaccine development is a long, complex process. Unlike drugs that are given to people with a diseased, vaccines are given to healthy people and also vulnerable sections such as children, pregnant women and the elderly. So rigorous tests are compulsory. History says that the fastest time it took to develop a vaccine is five years, but it usually takes double or sometimes triple that time.

Show