With a steep fall in Covid-19 cases in India, the Home Ministry has announced to end all COVID-19 containment measures March 31 onwards.
It has been two years since their first implementation following the pandemic.
But face masks and social distancing norms will continue to remain in place.
The Central government on March 24, 2020 had issued orders and guidelines for the first time under the Disaster Management Act, (DM Act) 2005. These aimed at the containment of COVID-19 in India; these have been modified on various occasions.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla stressed that over the last 24 months, significant capacities have been developed for various aspects of management of the pandemic. These may range in terms of diagnostics, surveillance, contact tracing, treatment, vaccination, hospital infrastructure.
Also, the general public has much higher level of awareness on COVID-appropriate behavior than earlier.
Covid-19 cases dip in India
The states and UTs have also developed their own capacities and systems. Each have implemented their detailed specific plans for managing the pandemic.
Considering a steep decline in the number of Covid-19 cases in last seven weeks this decision comes.
The total caseload in India now stands at 23,913 only (on March 22). Also, the daily positivity rate has declined to 0.28 per cent.
So far, a total of 181.56 crore vaccine doses have been administered in India.
So, after the expiry of the existing order on March 31, no further order will be issued by the MHA, Mr Bhalla said.
The Home Secretary reiterated that in view of the nature of the disease, people still need to remain watchful.
In the other parts of the world, Covid-19 is again rising. In countries like China, Hong Kong and some parts of Europe are witnessing a rising graph of cases.
The states and UTs will keep following the Standard Operating Measures and advisories as issued by the Ministry of Health from time to time.
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