New Delhi: Allowing relaxation of Covid-19 containment protocols amid significant decline in case positivity rate and active cases across the country, the Union Home Ministry has asked all States and UTs to consider allowing congregations for social, sports, religious, political, sports, entertainment and academic purposes, besides festival-related gatherings, based on a careful assessment of the local situation.
Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said testing and surveillance, vaccination and implementation of Covid norms should continue.
The Union Home Secretary has in the guidelines sent to the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs also emphasised that wearing of masks, maintaining social distancing, hand hygiene and ventilation in closed spaces as mandated in the National Directives for Covid Management should continue to be enforced.
He said that states and UTs should continue with testing and surveillance, clinical management, vaccination and implementation of Covid appropriate behaviour for managing Covid-19.
‘I would, therefore, urge you to take necessary action in line with the aforesaid Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advisory, dated 18 February, 2022 and for the enforcement of Covid Appropriate Behaviour,’ he added.