COVID curbs end on March 31 except wearing a face mask and social distancing

It's been almost two years since the Covid 19 calamity engulfed the planet, and everyone's life has become a daily nightmare of severe restrictions and routine. There is, however, good news for the people.

In the face of declining statistics in new Covid infections, the National Disaster Management Authority, which is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, has revoked sections of the Disaster Management Act for Covid containment efforts. The home ministry has decided to end all of its Covid-19 containment efforts two years after they were implemented. Wearing a face mask and preserving social distance will, however, continue as before.

"After considering the improvement in the overall situation and the Government's preparedness to deal with the pandemic, DMA has decided that there may not be any further need to invoke the provisions of the Disaster Management Act for Covid containment measures," says Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in an official communication to all state chief secretaries.

As a result, after the present MHA Order No 40-3/2020-DM-1 (A) dated February 25, 2022 expires, MHA will not be able to issue any more orders, according to the order.

"Significant capacities have been developed over the last 24 months for various aspects of pandemic management, such as diagnostics, surveillance, contact tracing, treatment and vaccination, hospital infrastructure, and the general public has a much higher level of awareness on COVID appropriate behaviour," the centre stated in the order.

The order goes on to say that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's (MDHFW) COVID containment advice, such as the usage of face masks and hand cleanliness, will continue to guide the overall national response to the epidemic.