Centre bats for risk assessment even as COVID cases decline

Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla directed the state/Union Territory governments and state/UT authorities to implement a risk assessment-based approach until March 31, 2022 despite a significant decline in the COVID-19 cases across the country and subsequent resumption of economic activities.

The ministry of health and family welfare, vide letter dated February 18, 2022, issued an advisory to all the states and Union Territories, stressing the need to follow a risk assessment based approach on the opening of economic activities.

The order by the home secretary is in the exercise of the powers conferred under Section 10(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act), as directed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

"It is further directed that the national directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country," the order by the home secretary said.

The order by the home secretary is in the exercise of the powers conferred under Section 10(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act), as directed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

The home secretary, in a letter to the chief secretaries of all states on Friday, also suggested the need to follow a risk assessment-based approach on the opening of economic activities.

"Accordingly, after a careful analysis of the local situation relaxation in various activities may be considered such as social/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/religious/festival related- gatherings; night curfew: operations of public transport; shopping complexes, cinema halls, gyms, spas, restaurants and bars; opening of schools, colleges, offices, and other commercial activities," he wrote in the letter.

"It is, however emphasized that while allowing all such activities, the 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. States/UTs should continue with testing and surveillance, clinical management vaccination and implementation of COVID Appropriate Behaviour, for managing COVID-19," Bhalla wrote.