Signs of community spread, admits CM; Centre's advice sought on further lockdowns
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 19 2020: For the first time, Chief Minister N Biren who is also in charge of Health Department has admitted that there are indications of community transmission of COVID-19 in some areas of the State and added that the situation is now quite 'alarming' .

Speaking to media persons at Shri Shri Govindaji Temple where he attended the 222nd death anniversary of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra, Biren said, "I'm not an expert on COVID-19 but there are indications of community spread in some parts of the State" .

Informing that the State Government deliberated on imposing a fresh total lockdown for 10 to 14 days yesterday, Biren said that the State Government has asked opinions of the Union Home Ministry through the Chief Secretary on the proposed total lockdown.

Signs of community spread, admits CM; Centre's advice sought on further lockdowns

The Home Ministry has also been informed about prevailing COVID-19 situation in the State.

The State Government asked the Home Ministry's advice on the proposed lockdown as such measures come under a National policy, Biren said.

With ICMR no longer supplying COVID-19 testing kits to the State, the State Government has been purchasing the testing kits, he said.

Although lockdown slowed down spread of the disease up to a large extent, it had adverse impacts on the economy, said the Chief Minister and added that the Government has already identified those localities/areas which have been affected to a greater degree by the pandemic.

Entry and exit of people from these places have been prohibited after they were declared as containment zones, Biren said.

Remarking that people are seemingly less bothered about following the SOPs, he urged local clubs and CSOs to carry out mass awareness campaigns on the crucial importance of wearing face masks in combating the pandemic.

The Chief Minister further assured that the Government would provide necessary face masks.

The 222nd death anniversary of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra was held today at Shri Shri Govindaji Temple, Palace Compound and Shri Shri Gopinath Mandir, Ningthoukhong under the aegis of the Rajarshi Bhagyachandra Cultural Foundation.

The death anniversary function held at Shri Shri Govindaji Temple was attended by Chief Minister N Biren, MAHUD Minister Okram Henry, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba and MLA N Indrajit and it was marked by offering of floral tributes to late king Rajarshi Bhagyachandra.

Speaking at the gathering, Biren said that the death anniversary function which would continue till tomorrow is a part of exploring the history of Manipur.

It is an attempt to bring peace in the State by paying homage to the late king who added a new chapter to the history of Manipur.

It is also a humble prayer to Shri Shri Govindaji to reduce the misery suffered by the people presently, Biren said.