Govt issues SOPs to combat Covid in rural areas, focus on awareness, screening, isolation To combat Covid-19, the government has asked states to sensitise and facilitate the Panchayats/Rural Local Bodies to tackle the Covid challenge. advertisement Image for Representation. The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj has written to all the State Governments to take preventive measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in rural India To combat Covid-19, the Ministry in its letter has suggested States to sensitise and facilitate the Panchayats/Rural Local Bodies towards meeting the challenge and provide leadership. CAMPAIGN ON COVID AWARENESS The Ministry has advised undertaking an intensive communication campaign for the awareness of rural communities on the nature of the Covid infection and preventive and mitigation measures, by the advice of the Health Ministry, doctors, and medical institutions, etc., while especially taking care to dispel false notions and beliefs.