Bhubaneswar: After two years, the State Government has revoked provisions of the Disaster Management Act for Covid containment measures, as per the order issued by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Pradeep K Jena.
“In pursuance of the provisions under Section 2 (d) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the State Government do hereby revoke/ de-notify the Order No.1706/ R &DM(DM) dated 13.03.2020,” read the order.
Henceforth, the State Government will not issue any orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 for Covid containment measures.
“Wherever any surge in the number of cases is observed, the Health & Family Welfare Department may take prompt and proactive action as advised by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), from time to time,” said Mr.Jena in the order.
Earlier, The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has taken a decision that there may not be any further need to invoke the provisions of the Disaster Management DM Act for Covid containment measures.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), on March 22 had communicated that after taking into consideration the overall improvement in the Covid situation and preparedness of the Government to deal with the pandemic.
Accordingly, after the expiry of the existing MHA Order dated February 25, 2022, no further order was issued by MHA.
The MHA has also instructed all States/UTs to consider appropriately discontinuing issue of orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 for Covid containment measures.
However, the MoHFW has advised to continue Covid containment measures, including on the use of mask and hand hygiene.
