Centre extends COVID-19 curbs till January 31 amid increasing Omicron threat

The Centre extended Covid-19 containment measures till January 31 amid increased detection of the Omicron variant in different parts of the country and urged states and Union Territories (UTs) to impose local restrictions, if required, to control crowds during the festive season. In a fresh advisory issued on Monday, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla asked states and UTs to continue to focus on the fivefold strategy of testing, tracking, treating, vaccinating and adhering to Covid appropriate behaviour to avoid the possibility of a surge in Covid-19 cases, especially in view of the new variant of concern (VOC).

"The country has witnessed an overall decline in active cases. However, the new variant, Omicron, is reported to be at least three times more transmissible than the Delta VOC, and is posing a new challenge for the Covid containment measures," said Bhalla.

He asked states and UTs to refer to the home ministry's order issued for ensuring implementation of the measures outlined by the health and family welfare ministry on December 21.


"I would like to reiterate that all the states and UTs must observe all precautions, and not let the guard down. Local and district administration, based on the normative framework and assessment of the situation, should promptly take appropriate containment measures. States may consider imposing need based, local curbs and restrictions, to control the crowd during the festive season," said Bhalla.

In countries which have seen an Omicron-driven surge, the growth trajectory of cases has been very steep, the home secretary said. In India, 578 Omicron cases have been reported in 19 states and UTs so far, he said.

Omicron cases have been reported in 116 countries so far and a surge in cases has been reported especially in countries such as the US, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, South Africa, Vietnam and Australia, he said.

In the health and family welfare ministry's advisory, a normative framework has been provided, Bhalla said, adding that with distinct presence of the Delta variant and detection of Omicron cases in many states, there is need for greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision-making, and strict and prompt containment actions at the local and district levels, based on the assessment of the situation.