MHA ends Covid-19 containment measures from March 31; wearing of face mask to continue

In view of the continuous dip in coronavirus cases the home ministry has decided to end all Covid19 containment measures from March 31 two years after their implementation following the outbreak of the pandemicHowever wearing of face mask and maintaining social distancing norms will continue as earlierThe Central government had on March 24 2020 issued for the first time orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management Act DM Act 2005 for the containment of Covid19 in the country and these have been modified on various occasionsIn a communication to the chief secretaries of all states Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said that over the last 24 months significant capacities have been developed for various aspects of management of the pandemic such as diagnostics surveillance contact tracing treatment vaccination hospital infrastructureAlso the general public now has a much higher level of awareness on the Covidappropriate behavior he saidThe states and Union Territories have also developed their own capacities and systems and implemented their detailed specific plans for managing the pandemic he said adding over the last seven weeks or so there has been a steep decline in the number of casesThe total caseload in the country stands at 23913 only on March 22 and the daily positivity rate has declined to 028 per cent he saidIt is also worth mentioning that with the combined efforts a total of 18156 crore vaccine doses have been administered he saidAfter taking into consideration the overall improvement in the situation and preparedness of the Government to deal with the pandemic National Disaster Management Authority has taken a decision that there may not be any further need to invoke the provisions of the DM Act for Covid containment measures the communication saidAccordingly Bhalla said after the expiry of the existing order on March 31 no further order will be issued by the Ministry of Home AffairsHowever the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advisories on Covid containment measures including on the use of face mask and hand hygiene will continue to guide the overall national response to the pandemic he saidThe Home Secretary however said that in view of the nature of the disease people still need to remain watchful of the situationHe said whenever any surge in the number of cases is observed states and UTs may consider taking prompt and proactive action at local level as advised by the Ministry of Health from time to timeI would therefore advise all the States and UTs to consider appropriately discontinuing issue of orders and guidelines under the DM Act 2005 for Covid containment measures Bhalla saidThe states and UTs may continue to follow the Standard Operating Measures and advisories that have been or are being issued by the Ministry of Health from time to time for containment measures vaccination and other related aspects he saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever