Tamil Nadu lifts all Covid curbs after nearly 2 years amid fall in infections
The MK Stalin-led government in a notification said that the state has achieved a vaccine coverage of over 92 percent of the first dose, and 75 percent of the second dose for those above 18 years of age.
With the Covid situation improving in the country, Tamil Nadu on Sunday lifted all the curbs linked to the pandemic after more than two years. However, the public health department of the state has said other Covid-19 protocols will continue to be in place. The office of the director of Public Health and prevention encouraged people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour such as maintaining social distance, wearing face masks, hand washing, and avoiding crowds.
"In continuation of the reduction in Covid-19 cases in the state and lifting of all restrictions which were laid down to prevent COVID-19 by Government of India, and Tamil Nadu achieving a vaccination coverage of more than 92 percent and 75 percent of first and second dose respectively, for those above 18 years, it is decided to withdraw the notification issued under Tamil Nadu Public Health Act,1939 vide reference 9th cited with immediate effect," the notification said.
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The MK Stalin-led government in a notification said that the state has achieved a vaccine coverage of over 92 percent of the first dose, and 75 percent of the second dose for those above 18 years of age.
Tamil Nadu on Sunday reported only 23 new cases. The state, which had witnessed a peak of the third wave in January due to the Omicron variant with over 30,000 new cases daily, recorded 275 active cases in the latest surge. It has the fourth highest overall cases in the country.
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While countries across the world are witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases due to the emergence of the new Covid variant, India on Monday reported 913 fresh cases and 81 deaths due to the coronavirus infection. The total active cases in India currently stand at 12, 597, according to the health ministry. India's recovery rate currently stands at 98.76 percent, as per the health ministry.