New Delhi, March 23: National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday revoked the provisions of the Disaster Management Act for Covid containment measures after two years.
However, as per the official order, advisories on Covid containment measures, including the use of face masks will continue.
The government after taking into consideration the overall improvement in the situation and preparedness of the Government to deal with the pandemic, NDMA has taken a decision that there may not be any further need to invoke the provisions of the Disaster Management Act for COVID containment measures.
Accordingly, after the expiry of the existing MHA Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-1 (A) dated 25 February 2022, no further Order may be issued by MHA.
However, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MDHFW) advisories on COVID containment measures including on the use of face masks and hand hygiene will continue to guide the overall national response to the pandemic.
The government in its official order stated 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 and vaccination, hospital infrastructure and the general public has much higher level of awareness on the COVID appropriate behaviour.
However, considering the nature of the disease, it has been advised to all the States/UTs to consider appropriately discontinuing issue of orders and guidelines under the DM Act, 2005 for Covid containment measures.
The States/UTs may continue to follow the SoPs/ advisories that have been or are being issued by the Ministry of Health and family welfare from time to time for COVID containment measures, vaccination & other related aspects including observing COVID Appropriate Behaviour.
Over the last seven weeks or so there has been a steep decline in the number of cases. The total case load in the country stands at 23,913 only & daily positivity rate has declined to 0.28%. A total of 181.56 Cr vaccine doses have been administered.
