Centre revokes Disaster Management Act provisions for Covid containment measures, but masks to stay

All existing Covid restrictions imposed by the National Disaster Management Authority are set to be removed on March 31. On Wednesday the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the Disaster Management Act will no longer be invoked for Covid-safety measures. However, masks will still have to be worn in public places and also social distancing has to be maintained.

Since 24th March 2020, on the direction of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Ministry of Home Affairs has been issuing Orders and Guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, (DM Act) 2005, for the containment of COVID-19 in the country.

Central Government, in close coordination with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations (UTS) have taken various proactive measures to deal with the unprecedented global crisis of COVID-19 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,” read the order signed by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla

However, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW) advisories on COVID containment measures, including the use of face masks and hand hygiene, will continue to guide the overall national response to the pandemic.