MHA says existing COVID-19 guidelines to continue till March 31

The home ministry on Friday said the existing Covid-19 guidelines will remain in force till March 31. While there has been a substantial decline in the active and new Covid-19 cases, there is need to maintain surveillance, containment and caution so as to fully overcome the pandemic, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.

States and Union territories have also been advised to speed up vaccination of the target population so as to break the chain of transmission and overcome the pandemic.

The focused approach on surveillance, containment and strict observance of the guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) as envisaged in the guidelines issued on January 27 need to be enforced strictly by states and union territories, the ministry said.


Accordingly, states and UTs must ensure that containment zones continue to be demarcated carefully; prescribed containment measures are strictly followed within these zones; Covid-appropriate behaviour is promoted and strictly enforced; and the SOPs prescribed in respect of various permitted activities are followed scrupulously.

There is no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods, including those for cross-land border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission or approval or e-permit will be required for such movements.

All activities have been permitted outside containment zones, except a few which will be subject to strict adherence of SOPs. Social, religious, sports, entertainment, educational, cultural, religious gatherings have already been permitted up to a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity, with a ceiling of 200 people in closed spaces; and keeping of the size of the ground or space in view, in open spaces.