CM appeals people not to panic, says Govt fully prepared
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, May 22 2020: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has appealed to all the people not to be panicky about the COVID-19 pandemic as the State is fully prepared to tackle the situation.

Speaking to the media persons at the Chief Minister's Secretariat today, Biren said that the State Government has taken up all necessary precautionary and preventive measures to combat the deadly disease.

The Chief Minister informed that the primary task ahead is to prevent community spread of the disease in the State.

He maintained that the Government welcomes all positive and constructive criticisms and suggestions to chalk out plans to combat the disease in the State.

CM appeals people not to panic, says Govt fully prepared

The Chief Minister appreciated the people of the Sate for strictly adhering to the advisories and guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the State Government.

He mentioned that the key measures to fight the disease are maintaining social distance, staying at home, wearing face masks, use of hand sanitisers, avoiding mass gatherings etc.

He urged the people to adhere to the precautionary measures laid down by WHO, Health Ministry, medical experts etc for one's own safety.

He stated that the recovery rate from the dreaded disease is above 40 per cent while the mortality rate is 3 per cent in the country.

Mentioning about the testing facilities in the State, the Chief Minister said that the number of tests in the laboratories at RIMS and JNIMS has been increased.

A total of 700-800 samples are being collected every day.

The number of freezers to keep the samples has also been increased, he added.

He opined that the Government cannot install COVID -19 testing centres at Mao or Jiribam by flouting the protocols of the ICMR and Health Ministry.

Speaking about the natives returning from various parts of the country to the State, Biren said that all the returnees would be kept at a particular quarantine centre for further medical examination.

After testing for COVID-19, they would be allowed to move to quarantine centres located in their respective constituencies.

If their test results are negative, they would be kept under home quarantine.

For those who are facing inconveniences for home quarantine at their homes, they would be accommodated at community quarantine centres.

The Chief Minister said that the Government acknowledges the efforts made by the frontline workers, local volunteers and CSOs in the fight against COVID-19 .

He assured that the Government will provide due compensation to the local volunteers, truck drivers, handymen etc in case of any unfortunate incident as per the norms laid down by the Government of India.

He appealed his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs, DCs and CSOs to spread awareness about the preventive measures to fight the virus.

Meanwhile, the Korean Manipuri Association donated 1000 number of Seegene's AllplexTM 2019-nCoV Assay kits worth about Rs 40 lakh.

This testing kit known as Seegene's AllplexTM 2019-nCoV Assay is approved by ICMR, NIV Pune, FDA & CE-IVD.

The Tata Trusts also donated 3000 PPEs and 18,000 surgical masks to the Chief Minister.

Later, N Biren handed over the testing kits, PPEs and masks to the officials of JNIMS and RIMS.

Health and Family Welfare Minister L Jayantakumar, CAF&PD Minister Karam Shyam and Education Minister Th Radheshyam were also present at the press conference.