Discontinue Invoking Disaster Management Act For COVID Containment Measures : Centre to States/UTs

In view of the overall improvement in the pandemic situation, the National Disaster Management Authority has recommended the discontinuation of the invocation of the Disaster Management Act 2005 for COVID containment measures.

Taking note of the NDMA recommendation, the Union Home Secretary has written to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories to discontinue the orders and guidelines issued under the Disaster Management Act for COVID containment measures.

"I would, therefore, advise all the States/UTs to consider appropriately discontinuing issue of orders and guidelines under the DM Act, 2005 for COVID containment measures", the Home Secretary stated in the letter dated 22nd March, 2022.

However, the advisories on wearing face masks and hand hygiene can be continued.

"The States/UTs may continue to follow the SoPs/advisories that have been or are being issued by the MoHFW(Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) from time to time for COVID containment measures, vaccination and other related aspects, including observing COVID appropriate behaviour", the letter added.

It was two years ago, on March 24, 2020, that the NDMA directed the invocation of the DMA for issuing various orders and guidelines for the containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the letter issued by Ajay Bhalla IAS, the Union Home Secretary, to the Chief Secretaries of all States, it is mentioned that there has been a sharp decline in the number of COVID cases in the country over the past seven weeks. The total caseload in the country stands at 23,913 only and the daily positivity rate has declined to 0.28%. Also over 180 crore doses of vaccines have been administered.

"After taking into consideration the overall improvement in the situation and the 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 DM Act for COVID containment measures. Accordingly, after the expiry of the existing MHA order No.40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 25th February, 2022, no further Order may be issued by MHA. However, 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 overall national response to the pandemic", the letter said. 

At the same time, the Home Secretary highlighted the need to be watchful of the situation, given the nature of the disease, and suggested that the States/UTs may take prompt and proactive steps on noticing any surge.

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Click here to read the letter of MHA Secretary to States/UTs