Experts warn against dumping virus curbs altogether, urge people to mask up for a few more months

However, all experts agreed that opening schools is a “priority”.

Ambarish Dutta, additional professor at the Public Health Foundation of India, told ET that “under no circumstance” should India do away with restrictions. “We should not emulate other countries as their health system is much stronger. Unnecessary large gatherings should be avoided, masking is very much needed,” he said.

Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, internal medicine, Delhi's Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, cautioned that the pandemic is not over and may be inching towards the “endemic phase”.

“To have to do well in life, citizens themselves have to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour. It has to be a slow transition, not to normalcy but a new thought of life for the next couple of months. The pandemic is inching towards an endemic phase, but I would keep my comments guarded at this moment for at least the next two to three months," he added.

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Senior epidemiologist Giridhara Babu advised that local evidence be used to decide which restrictions are lifted. “Ensuring vaccination coverage and strengthening the plans for boosters for the vulnerable should be the backbone of better preparedness. Preventing large congregations of unvaccinated and enforcing masks should continue as the mainstay even when restrictions are taken off,” he said.

Gautam Menon, professor of physics and biology at the Ashoka University, noted that opening of schools and educational institutions and restoring the economy is an “urgent requirement”.

“It would be useful to recommend masking in closed venues, using nudges rather than mandates. And there is no need to restrict outdoor gatherings anymore,” he added.

Active COVID-19 cases below 3 lakh

With 25,920 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India's tally of COVID-19 cases has risen to 42,780,235, while the active cases have dipped below three lakh after 43 days, according to the health ministry data.

The death toll climbed to 510,905 with 492 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Daily COVID cases have remained under one lakh for 12 consecutive days. Active cases further declined to 292,092 comprising 0.68 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID recovery rate has further improved to 98.12 percent, the ministry said.

A reduction of 40,826 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.