Centre issues new Covid-19 guidelines for states, forbids local lockdowns

The Home Ministry issued a set of guidelines that will be effective from December 1

The centre on Wednesday asked states to step up measures to contain the spread of coronavirus cases, suggesting they strictly enforce restrictions in containment zones, step up contact tracing and encourage "COVID-appropriate" behaviour.

States cannot impose local lockdowns without consulting the centre, but they can enforce restrictions like "night curfew", according to guidelines issued by the Union Home Ministry. The guidelines will be effective from December 1 and their focus is "to consolidate the substantial gains that have been achieved against the spread of COVID-19".

The ministry urged stricter enforcement of rules like mask-wearing, social distancing and said it will issue formal