The Centre on Thursday directed the states and Union Territories to go for intensive and local containment measures in districts with a high number of Covid-19 cases to check the spread of the viral disease.

The ministry of home affairs, however, did not mention anything about the imposition of a lockdown anywhere in the country in the fresh guidelines issued for May in view of the pandemic. It told the states to take necessary action to ensure sufficient oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators, ambulances, including creation of makeshift hospitals.

The ministry asked the states to identify the districts where either the Covid positivity rate was more than 10 per cent or the bed occupancy was over 60 per cent in the last one week. The districts fulfilling any of the above two criteria should be considered for intensive and local containment measures, the ministry said in a statement.

The implementation framework for community containment and large containment areas, as advised by the health ministry, has been enclosed with the order. The home ministry asked the states to consider the containment measures, as conveyed in an advisory issued by the health ministry on April 25 for immediate implementation based on an assessment of the situation.

The national directives for Covid-19 management shall continue to be strictly followed throughout the country, the statement said. The home ministry order shall be effective till May 31.

The home ministry said the focus will be on containment to flatten the current curve of the pandemic. Movement of individuals shall be strictly prohibited during the night hours, except for essential activities, in areas where the number of cases is high.

Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious, festival related and other gatherings and congregations have been prohibited. Marriages will be attended by up to 50 people and funerals by up to 20. Shopping complexes, cinema halls, restaurants, bars, sports complexes, gymnasiums, spas, swimming pools and religious places will remain closed.

Essential services and activities such as healthcare services, police, fire, banks, electricity, water and sanitation, regulated movement of public transport, including all incidental services and activities needed for a smooth functioning of these activities, shall continue. Such services shall continue in both the public and the private sector.

Public transport facilities such as trains, metro, buses and taxis will operate at a maximum capacity of 50 per cent. There shall be no restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement, including transportation of essential goods.

All offices, both government and private, will function with a maximum of 50 per cent staff strength. All industrial and scientific establishments may be allowed to operate, subject to the workforce following the physical distancing norms.

Referring to testing and surveillance, the guidelines said the districts will continue with the “test-track-treat-vaccinate” strategy and ensure Covid-appropriate behaviour.