New Delhi: In light of a drop in COVID-19 cases, the Centre advised states to take a risk-based approach to the opening of economic and social activities on Wednesday. The Union Health Ministry, on the other hand, advised that places with a positive rate of 10% or a 40% occupancy rate in oxygen-supported or ICU beds be subjected to restrictions.

The government emphasised the importance of continuing to focus on the five-step strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and adherence to Covid Appropriate Behaviour, while noting that the number of cases has been steadily declining in recent months.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote to states and union territories, asking them to guarantee enough availability of specialised Covid health infrastructure based on the current case trajectory and to fully operationalize non-Covid health services in all health facilities.

He also emphasised the importance of following the home isolation regimen for asymptomatic and moderate cases, and requested that high-risk individuals be monitored more closely.

Bhushan stated that social, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious, festival-related, and other gatherings and congregations may resume as long as Covid Appropriate Behaviour is followed.

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