Centre extends covid containment measures till November 30

As cases decline steadily countrywide, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order on Thursday signed by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla extending Covid-19 containment measures till November 30.

"In exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 10(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Union Home Secretary undersigned hereby directs that the Order of the Ministry of Home Affairs of even number, dated September 28, 2021, to ensure compliance with the Prompt & Effective Containment Measures for COVID-19, as conveyed vide Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) dated September 21, 2021, will remain in force up to the November 30, 2021," the order read.

Bhalla added that existent protocols for curbing the spread of Covid would continue till November 30 in a letter forwarded to all Chief Secretaries of States and union territories. Though declining steadily, there is a localised spread of the coronavirus in a few states. Hence, Covid appropriate behaviour must be followed during festive seasons as the pandemic continues to be a public health challenge. He further urged the states to speed up vaccination and continue to focus on the fivefold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour to avoid a possible surge of cases during the festive season. He also asked them to check positivity rates and the status of the availability of ICU beds in the hospitals under their jurisdiction.

As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 16,156 cases were reported on October 28.