Curfew extended, curbs eased
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 03 2021: The state government has extended the curfew till August 7 in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Chandel districts but eased the restrictions for specific activities.

Activities permitted in these virus hotspot districts include opening of shops and markets with strict ahderence to existing Covid-19 SOPs.

In respect of Pherzawl, Kamjong, Ukhrul, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, Senapati, Noney, Tamenglong and Tengnoupal districts, night curfew from 6 pm to 5 am will be strictly enforced.

However, essential activities would be allowed in these districts as well.

In an order, State Executive Committee chairman and chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar said that in the latter nine districts, activities related to unavoidable customary and religious rituals can be performed in open sheds by restricting the number of invitees to 20 only, micro containment zones will be strictly monitored by dedicated Police Department teams and Health Department teams, fresh cases of Covid 19 infections will be isolated as soon as possible and brought to Covid Care Centres and Health Department will arrange mobile medical team for regular health checks along with scaling up vaccination, contact tracing and testing by providing additional manpower, mobility support and IEC-Advocacy.

The order stated that other activities that are permitted in these districts include opening of government offices, PSUs and other public utilities with government offices to start functioning with physical attendance of Group A officers and 15 per cent of the remaining staff by taking adequate precaution and strictly following Covid Appropriate Behaviour.

All offices related to information and public relations, power, Fire Service, PHED, CAF & PD, health, Forest, Environment & Climate Change and Treasuries and Police Department and District Administration will be allowed to function normally.

During the extended curfew period various other sectors and activities would also be permitted across the state.

As per the order, offices of insurance companies, banking services and postal services will open with limited staff on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10.00 am to 2:30 pm.

ATM services including refilling of cash in ATMs are also allowed, it added.

The order further said that all activities related to health and welfare services including animal healthcare, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and movement of healthcare workers along with pharmacies and opticians including those selling veterinary medicines will be permitted.

Agricultural and horticultural activities including opening of shops and establishments dealing with inputs like fertiliser, seeds, pesticides, mechanical tools, fish feed and animal feed will also be allowed.

Opening of rice mills and bakeries will be allowed subject to taking adequate precaution and strictly following Covid Appropriate Behaviour, while petrol pumps and LPG outlets and movement of staff of IOCL will continue to be permitted, it said.

The order also mentioned that spare parts shops will be allowed to open along with vehicle workshops of goods trucks, petrol tankers, LPG bullets, etc, which can open from 9 am to 3 pm on all days while taking adequate precaution and strictly following Covid Appropriate Behaviour.

Stationery shops and authorised service centres of mobiles and personal computers will be allowed to open from 10 am to 2 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Local vegetable vendors will be permitted to open from 7 am to 10 am for purchase by the locals on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

The vegetable vendors must be seated at least 6 feet away from one another on spaces marked by district administration and should wear mask all the time, it ordered.

The order continued that only one out of three grocery shops of the total shops/vendors in one location will be allowed to open on rotational basis from 7 am to 10 am.

Shops selling fish, poultry and poultry products can open from 8 am to 11 am on Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

Shops selling milk and fresh milk products can open every day from 6 am to 9 am.

Hotels for lodging will be allowed to remain open with minimum staff, while restaurants will remain closed.

Home delivery of various goods and services (food items, vegetables, groceries, medicines, etc,) including e-commerce platforms will also be permitted, it stated.

The order directed respective deputy commissioners to issue necessary orders and superintendents of police to take necessary action to implement the orders strictly.

Construction activities will be permitted subject to onsite stay arrangements of workers for projects related to NREGA activities of RDPR, railways, NHIDCL, ADB, NDB projects of PHED, PMGSY of RDPR and other important projects of the government, it added.

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