The Centre on Thursday issued an order to all states and union territories to ensure compliance to containment measures for COVID-19 as conveyed by the Union Health Ministry till June 30.

"In exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 10(2XI) of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the undersigned hereby directs that Ministry of Home Affairs' Order of even number dated 29. April 2021, to ensure compliance to the containment measures for COVID-19, as conveyed vide Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) DO No. Z.28015/85/2021-DM Cell dated 25. April 2021, will remain in force up to 30th June 2021," the ministry stated order stated.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla stated that strict implementation of containment and other measures has led to a declining trend in the number of new and active cases, across states and UTs, barring some areas in the southern and northeastern regions,"

The union home secretary, however stated that the number of active cases is still very high in spite of the declining trend, and added that containment measures should continue to be implemented strictly.

"Any relaxation by states/UTs, may be considered at an appropriate time, in a graded manner, after assessing the local situation, requirements and resources," Bhalla added.

On April 29, the Centre had directed states and union territories to go for intensive and local containment measures in districts with a high number of Coronavirus cases to contain the spread of COVID-19.

India's COVID-19 caseload on Thursday surged to 2,73,69,093 with 2,11,298 more positive cases in a day, while with 3,847 more fatalities in a span of 24 hours, the COVID-19 death toll mounted to 3,15,235.  The country's recovery improved to 90 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry.