India to lift Covid curbs from March 31

India has decided to revoke all Covid-19 restrictions from March 31, after long two years.

The country recently has been witnessing a sustained decline in daily Covid cases, with the positivity rate remaining below 0.5 percent, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The curbs, imposed under the Disaster Management Act (DMA) for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) containment measures, are going to be withdrawn in view of "overall improvement in the situation and preparedness of the government" to deal with the pandemic, according to an order by Indian home secretary Ajay Bhalla.

However, the health ministry advisories on Covid containment measures like wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing would continue, the order states.

In the order, Ajay Bhalla advised all states and federally-ruled territories "to consider appropriately discontinuing" issue of orders and guidelines under the DMA Act, 2005 for Covid containment measures.

"The States/UTs may continue to follow the standard operating procedures/advisories that have been or are being issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time for Covid containment measures, vaccination and other related aspects, including COVID Appropriate Behaviour," the order reads.