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What is Containment Zone
In view of the rising number of Covid-19 cases, the Centre and state governments have taken several measures to block the transmission of the virus. Among these steps has been the demarcation of an area as red, orange, green, or containment zone, based on the severity of the virus spread in that area.
According to the Union Ministry for Health and Family Welfare, containment zones are specific geographic areas where Covid-19 positive cases are found in large numbers.
These zones are created to map and prevent local transmission. They are identified by the Rapid Response Team (RRT) based on the extent of cases listed and mapped by them.
There is a strict restriction on movement in these areas and the residents in these areas are asked not to step out of their homes except during medical emergencies and for essential needs.
Only essential activities are allowed in the containment zones. During the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus, states and Union Territories had been given the power to identify red, orange and green zones. The district administration and local urban bodies identified the containment and buffer zones, in line with health ministry guidelines.
The red, orange, and green zones are operated at the state and inter-district levels, while the demarcation of containment zones is done within a town, village, or municipal or panchayat area.
The perimeters of containment zones are decided based on the number of positive cases in the area, contact tracing history, and population density.
Rapid response teams demarcate the area of a 3-kilometre radius around the epicentre (the residence of the positive case or where they have been isolated) in case contact listing and mapping takes more than 24 hours. This area of 3 km radius is called the containment zone.