Will Odisha Further Ease COVID Guidelines With Centre Pushing For Amending Additional Curbs?

Bhubaneswar: Will Odisha further ease the ongoing COVID restrictions with the Centre asking states and UTs to review and amend the additional safety guidelines imposed after a sudden surge in the infections during the third wave?

In a letter to states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Wednesday said that existing guidelines aimed at minimising the transmission and circulation of the virus have been revised and updated with changing epidemiology of the COVID-19 pandemic globally and in India.

He mentioned that guidelines for international arrivals have been revised and asked states to amend the additional restrictions they had imposed too.

“Presently, as the case trajectory across the nation is showing a sustained downward trend, it will be useful if states/UTs review and amend/do away with the additional restrictions so imposed after considering the trend of new cases, active cases and positivity,” he said.

He stressed the need to ensure that the movement of people and activities are not hampered by additional restrictions.

The states should continue to monitor the trajectory of cases and spread of infection on a daily basis and follow the broad five-fold strategy of – Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination-Adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour, he added.

India has been showing a sustained declining trend since January 21. The daily case positivity on February 15 had declined to 3.63 per cent. The average daily cases during last week were 50,476 with 27,409 being reported in the last 24 hours.

Notably, Odisha has reopened schools and other educational institutions. The duration of the night curfew was reduced by an hour and is now being imposed from 10 pm to 5 am. Offices are also functioning with 100 per cent staff strength.