Bhubaneswar: After a period of almost two years, the Odisha Government on Thursday revoked the orders and guidelines issued earlier under the Disaster Management Act for COVID containment measures.
The Office of Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha, in an order, said: “In pursuance of the provisions under Section 2 (d) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (hereinafter referred to as ‘Act’), the State Government do hereby revoke/ de-notify the Order No.1706/ R &DM (DM) dated 13.03.2020. Henceforth, orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 shall not be issued for COVID containment measures.”
“Wherever any surge in the number of cases is observed, the Health & FW Department, Govt. of Odisha may take prompt and proactive action as advised by MoHFW, GOI from time to time,” the SRC order read. The SRC further ordered that this De-notification be published in the next issue of Odisha Gazette.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, vide D.0 No.40-3/2020-DM-I(A) dated 22.03.2022 has communicated that after taking into consideration the overall improvement in the COVID situation and 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, MoHFW advisories on COVID containment measures, including on the use of mask and hand hygiene, will continue to guide the overall national response to the pandemic issued revised guidelines for surveillance, containment and caution with regard to COVID-19 pandemic.
The MHA has also instructed that all States/UTs to consider appropriately discontinuing issue of orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management Act,2005 for COVID containment measures.
