Covid: Centre Puts Ball In Court Of States/UTs, To Not Issue Further Guidelines Under Disaster Management Act

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has taken this decision after “taking into consideration the overall improvement in the situation and preparedness” to deal with the pandemic.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Central government has advised all the states and Union Territories to consider appropriately discontinuing the issue of orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management 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 MoHFW from time to time for Covid containment measures, vaccination and other related aspects, including observing COVID Appropriate Behaviour,” the order copy signed by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla reads, ANI reported.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has taken this decision after “taking into consideration the overall improvement in the situation and preparedness” to deal with the pandemic.

“Accordingly, after the expiry of the existing MHA Order No. 40-3/2020-DM-I (A) dated 25^th February, 2022, no further order may be issued by MHA,” the order reads.

The order said, however, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advisories on Covid containment measures, including on the use of face mask and hand hygiene, will continue to guide the national overall response to the pandemic.

“I would like to mention that in view of the nature of the disease, we still need to remain watchful of the situation,” Bhalla said in the order.

“Wherever any surge in the number of cases is observed, the states/UTs may consider taking prompt and proactive action at the local level, as advised by MOHFW from time to time,” he added.

The order said significant capacities have been developed over the last 24 months for various aspects of management of the pandemic, such as diagnostics, surveillance, contact tracing, treatment and vaccination, hospital infrastructure, adding the general public has a much higher level of awareness on the Covid-appropriate behaviour.

“States and UTs have also developed their own capacities and systems and implemented their detailed State/UT specific plans for managing the pandemic, over the last seven weeks or so there has been a steep decline in the number of cases,” the order added.

The MHA order further said the total caseload in the country stands at 23,913 and the daily positivity rate has declined to 0.28 percent.

“It is also worth mentioning that with the combined efforts, a total of 181.56 Cr vaccine doses have been administered,” the order added.