New Delhi, May 26 (IANS): About a month after several lanes in Mehrauli were sealed as two persons involved in food distribution among the needy had tested positive for coronavirus, the district administration on Tuesday directed scaling down of containment process in the area.

According to an order signed by SDM (Mehrauli) Sonalika Jiwani, no new cases were found in the area in the last 28 days and all the people in the area were found asymptomatic in a screening done on Tuesday.

"A screening was done on May 26 and those living in the containment areas were found to be asymptomatic," the order said.

Also, the medical screening of residents was done and the first layer contacts were tested and found negative.

It said the health authorities have also confirmed that the conditions for scaling down are fulfilled in the containment area.

"Therefore, based on the MoHFW guidelines, facts of the case and expert medical opinion, the containment process is being scaled down in the said area with the directions to ease the restrictions. Medical authorities shall continue regular follow-up action in the area," the SDM said.

On April 27, two people involved in food distribution among the needy in Mehrauli were tested positive for coronavirus with several lanes being sealed by the district administration. According to an order signed by Jiwani on April 27, the area around Jamila Masjid Baoli in Ward number 1, Mehrauli was sealed. Since the area is densely populated, Jiwani had ordered for containment zone of the entire affected area -- Nirankari Gali, Nakshtra Gali, Nala Boring Gali, Rawan Wali Gali, Jamila Masjid Baoli, Dargah Gurudware wali Gali, Thane wali gali and Terminal Wali Gali.

The lanes were sealed as one containment zone.

While the directions have been issued for scaling down the containment process, the SDM directed the SHO concerned and the survey teams, as constituted by the district administration, to keep a strict vigil in the areas to make sure that there should be minimum movement of people as per directions issued by the government with regard to the lockdown.

Also, social distancing and masks are compulsory in the area even for the vendors and hawkers, it said.

So far, about 14,500 cases have been tested positive for coronavirus in Delhi.