Omicron | No masks for kids below 5 yrs: New Covid guidelines

With India's massive immunisation drive against Covid now including a significant number of teens, the Union government issued fresh guidelines for those aged below 18 years.

In the document published by the health ministry, the government said that face masks are not recommended for children aged 5 years and below. The guidelines said that children aged 6 to 11 may wear a mask contingent on their ability to use it safely and appropriately under supervision. Children aged 12 and above should wear masks like adults are expected to do.

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The document also contained guidelines regarding a host of treatments and how they are to be used for minors.

Use of antivirals or monoclonal antibodies has been advised against for Covid patients aged less than 18 years. The government said that severity of disease doesn't matter in this regard. If steroids are used on minors, their use should be tapered over 10-14 days. The document also had directions regarding response to respiratory distress, multisystem inflammatory syndrome, and use of anti-coagulants.

Meanwhile, the government revealed that over 3 crore, 94 lakh Covid vaccines have been administered in the 15-18 age group till January 20.

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