No more Covid curbs under Disaster Management Act after March 31: MHA

Masks, social distancing norms to continue; States and UTs allowd to issue standard operating procedures (SoPs) for containment measures, vaccination

Two years after the pandemic broke out and the country went into a mega-lockdown, the Union Home Ministry has decided to end all its Covid19 containment measures from March 31, and has said that there may not be any further need to invoke the provisions of the Disaster Management Act for Covid containment measures.

However, wearing of masks and maintaining social distancing norms will continue as earlier.

The Home Secretary said that in view of the nature of the disease, people still need to remain watchful of the situation, and whenever there is any surge in the number of cases observed, states may consider taking prompt and proactive action at local level, as advised by the Union Health Ministry from time to time.

States and Union territories can periodically issue standard operating procedures (SoPs) and advisories for containment measures, vaccination and other related aspects.

On Wednesday the Union Health Ministry too issued a directive to states on relaxations of Covid19 curbs, based on two factors – hospital bed occupancies and test positivity rates.

“After 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,” Ajay Bhalla, Union home secretary said in the communication.

He added that, after the expiry of the existing order (issued on February 25) on March 31, no further order will be issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

“I would, therefore, advise all the States and UTs to consider appropriately discontinuing the issue of orders and guidelines under the DM Act, 2005 for COVID containment measures,” Bhalla said.

On March 24, 2020 the Central government had issued first time orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 for the containment of Covid19 in the country. These orders have continued to be modified from time to time.

In 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 infrastructure etc.

Bhalla also said that the general public now has much ‘higher level of awareness on the Covid appropriate behaviour’.

Union Health Ministry advisories on Covid containment measures, including wearing of masks, hand hygiene etc, will continue to guide the overall national response to the pandemic.

Union Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in a letter to all state chief secretaries that states are advised to continue active monitoring and implementation of necessary measures for prompt and effective management of Covid19. In this regard, the MoHFW’s guidelines dated February 18 regarding testing, surveillance and containment based restrictions are still valid.

He added that in order to identify areas where restrictions are required, two broad based frameworks should aid the states – test positivity rate of 10 percent or more in the past week ; and bed occupancy level of more than 40 percent on either oxygen or ICU beds.

While the MoHFW said that the focus would be on graded relaxation of restrictions, states need to ensure that adequate testing is done, and ensure availability of sufficient Covid19 health infrastructure, as well target 100 percent vaccination for all eligible age groups.

Over the last seven weeks or so, there has been a steep decline in the number of Covid cases in India.The total caseload in India now stands at 23,913 only (as of March 22), and the daily positivity rate has declined to 0.28 percent, Bhalla said.

Wearing masks and social distancing norms to continue

After 2 years MHA says no further orders invoking DM Act

MHA had issued first orders invoking DM Act on March 24, 2020

Latest order issued by MHA on February 25 expires on March 31

States to follow MoH SoPs and advisories on Covid containment measures

MHA asks states to discontinue issue of orders under DM Act, 2005

MoHFW guidelines on graded relaxation of curbs:

Offline classes can resume in educational institutions without any restrictions

Marriages and Funerals to be allowed

Shopping complexes, gyms, swimming pools, spas, restaurants, cinema halls, religious places, sports complexes can operate at full capacity

Public transport to operate at full capacity

Social, sports, cultural, academic, religious gatherings/festivals may be resumed

All offices can function without any capacity restrictions

All industrial and scientific establishments – public and private – may be allowed