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No Relaxation In Mask Wearing & Covid Protocols; Media Reports Untrue : Health Ministry Clarifies

LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK

23 March 2022 9:37 AM GMT

    • No Relaxation In Mask Wearing & Covid Protocols; Media Reports Untrue : Health Ministry Clarifies

    The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has clarified that the reports about the relaxation of the facemask rule and hand-hygiene protocols in relation to COVID-19 control are untrue."Some media reports are suggesting relaxation in mask wearing and hand hygiene #COVID19 protocols. These are untrue.Use of face mask and hand hygiene will continue to guide Covid management measures",...

    The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has clarified that the reports about the relaxation of the facemask rule and hand-hygiene protocols in relation to COVID-19 control are untrue.

    "Some media reports are suggesting relaxation in mask wearing and hand hygiene #COVID19 protocols. These are untrue.Use of face mask and hand hygiene will continue to guide Covid management measures", the Health Ministry tweeted from its official handle.

    The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier directed the States to discontinue the invocation of the Disaster Management Act 2005 for Covid containment measures. This was misreported in some sections of the media as a revocation of the facemask rule. It is in this background that the Health Ministry has made this clarification. 

    In this context, it is pertinent to note that many State Governments have also invoked the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act for enforcing wearing of masks and COVID appropriate behaviour.



    In view of the overall improvement in the pandemic situation, the National Disaster Management Authority 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.

    "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.


    Tags
    COVID-19FacemaskUnion Ministry of Health and Family WelfareDisaster Management Act 2005
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