Covid-19 containment measures to finish on March 31, says Centre, face masks, social distancing to proceed

In a letter to the chief secretaries of all states, Home Secretary of India Ajay Bhalla said, “After the expiry of the existing MHA Order dated 25th February, 2022, no further Order may be issued by MHA.”

The letter specified that the advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) on containment measures, together with on the usage of face masks and hand hygiene, “will continue to guide the overall national response to the pandemic”.

The central authorities had issued orders and tips beneath the Disaster Management Act upon path from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for the containment of the virus within the nation since March 24, 2020, when the pandemic first hit.

The February 25 order is ready to run out on March 31, 2022. It had directed states to open up financial and social actions after assessing the chance of an infection. It outlined the parameters to establish areas the place restrictions are wanted as: Over 10% Test Positivity Rate within the final week and a mattress occupancy of over 40 per cent (together with oxygen supported or ICU beds).

Further, Bhalla in his letter said that given the character of the illness, “we still need to remain watchful of the situation”. “Wherever any surge in the number of cases is observed, the States/UTs may consider taking prompt and proactive action at a local level, as advised by MoHFW from time to time,” the letter mentioned.

The whole caseload within the nation stands at 23,913 solely (on March 22) and the every day positivity price has declined to 0.28 per cent, he mentioned. It can be price mentioning that with the mixed efforts, a complete of 181.56 crore vaccine doses have been administered, Bhalla added.