The Health Ministry has requested state governments to lift COVID-19-related extra limitations imposed last month in response to growing instances.
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated in a letter to all state chief secretaries that due to the changing epidemiology of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide and in India, current recommendations targeted at reducing viral transmission and circulation had been reviewed and modified.
The new directions emerge as the country continues to see a strong reduction in new daily cases after reaching a peak of roughly 3.7 lakh infections on January 21, while active COVID-19 cases are also declining quickly. Every day, the number of active COVID-19 cases in India is rapidly declining in all states.
The Centre recently released new instructions for foreign travellers that were significantly more lenient than those given when the Omicron initially began triggering a rise in coronavirus infections worldwide. “In earlier months in view of high COVID case trajectory, certain states had imposed additional restrictions at their borders and at airports,” according to the letter dated February 16.
While properly handling the public health problem of COVID-19, the letter stated that it is equally necessary that mobility of people and economic activity not be impeded by extra limitations placed at state-level points of entry.
Presently, as the case trajectory across the nation is showing a sustained downward trend, it will be useful if states review and amend the additional restrictions imposed after considering the trend of new cases, active cases, and positivity with the state, Bhushan wrote. He emphasized, however, that governments keep a daily eye on the progression of cases and the spread of illness.
