Buildings with five or more cases to be marked as 'micro contentment zone'

Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the city of Mumbai are increasing exponentially and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is taking necessary measures to break the chain of coronavirus infection. In addition to the existing protocol, officials from the civic body have decided to mark buildings as 'micro containment zones' and this will be applicable if five or more COVID-19 patients are found from the building. 

Keeping the same in mind, the BMC has issued guidelines on Monday, April 19, 2021, and the information was shared by Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte. As per the revised guidelines, co-operative housing societies have been told that the building will be sealed if the officials find five or more patients. Moreover, if the society or the members flout the COVID-19 guidelines, the civic body will impose a fine of INR 10,000. 

Responsibility for the same has been given to the local disaster management authorities who will then recover the penalty. The decision on whether to designate the building as a 'micro containment zone' will also be taken by the Disaster Management Officer. If the building or co-operative housing organization is declared as ‘Micro Containment Zone’, only medical and other essential services will be allowed until further notice, and the local disaster management officer will also decide on the selected essential services as per the needs.

Moreover, the building or housing organization will have only one entry and exit point and the residents will be required to clean the building premises daily along with sanitizing it on a regular basis. Guests and vehicles from outside will not have access to the building premises. If a resident needs any medications, the assigned officer will be able to help. 

The name of the building will be de-listed if no new patient is found in the building premises for 5 consecutive days or if the number reduces to less than five cases.

Meanwhile, the state government has decided to assign a particular time for the operation of grocery stores, as it will help in reducing the crowding and number of people visiting the store. Keeping the same in mind, grocery stores in Mumbai will now be open for only 4 hours a day between 7am and 11am. CM Uddhav Thackeray, on April 13, 2021, announced a state-wide curfew from 7am to 8pm, which was imposed on April 14, 2021, and is said to continue until May 1, 2021. However, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar, in a recent interview said that the city should have a strict lockdown as it will help reduce COVID-19 cases.