Govt restricts public gatherings
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 15 2022: The state government has restricted gathering of people for any activity to maximum of 50 people or half of the capacity whichever is less in case of closed spaces and maximum of 200 people in open areas.

As per an order issued Saturday, State Executive Committee chairman and chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar mentioned that the decision was taken in view of the rapid increase in the 'Test Positivity Rate', absolute number of Covid-19 positive case per day and detection of Omicron variant of Covid-19 in the state.

The order also stated that wearing of face masks in public places, gatherings and crowded areas is a critical Covid Appropriate Behaviour and it will be strictly enforced and violators penalised promptly under relevant laws.

All district magistrates and district SPs will be personally responsible for strictly enforcing the restrictions by invoking re.levant provisions of law, it directed.

The chairman further conveyed that the order will remain in force till fresh guidelines relating to public gathering are received from the Election Commission of India.

It may mentioned that following reports of the detection of 'Omicron' in Manipur, the state government had on December 30 declared imposition of night curfew from 9 pm to 4 am, with an exemption for essential services and medical emergencies.

The government also imposed restrictions on music concerts, folk dance of Thabal Chongba, celebratory feasts, and large gatherings in enclosed areas or indoor halls.

The order had also directed all the district magistrates to strictly enforce the restrictions by invoking relevant provisions of law while stating that the order is in continuation of the order dated December 27 and will remain in force till January 31, 2022 .

The first case of Omicron variant of coronavirus in the northeast was reported in Manipur on a 48-year-old man from Imphal West district with a travel history to Tanzania.

The patient underwent treatment at JNIMS.

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