Govt extends curfew, bans movement after dusk
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 09 2021: The state government has extended the 'Curfew' in the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Ukhrul till July 20 along with imposing 'Night Curfew' from 7 pm to 5 am in all the districts.

In an order, State Executive Committee chairman and chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar stated that the decision was based on the 'Covid' situation in the state which continues to be of concern and still warrants measures to control the spread of the infection.

The order mentioned that vegetable vendors who are in abidance to marked spots and grocery shops will be allowed to open as per earlier arrangement on July 12, 15 and 18 from 7 am to 10 am .

Authorised service centres of personal computers and mobiles can open from 10 am to 2 pm on the days when grocery shops are closed.

Further, opening up will depend on the Covid scenario and the progress in vaccination, it maintained.

High Court of Manipur can decide its own activities, based on various measures taken up by the government, as deemed appropriate, it added.

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

Meanwhile, chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar has ordered that whenever there is a fresh positive case, respective DCs should issue orders declaring micro-containment zones.

In an order, Dr Rajesh Kumar stated that genome sequencing test have shown that all new Covid cases in Manipur are of Delta variant which has higher transmissibility and also higher possibility of adverse symptoms.

Therefore, it is vital to collectively renew efforts to break the chain of Covid-19 transmission.

Government of India also has advised to adopt a 'whole of society' approach in tackling the Covid pandemic.

Hence, the state government is notifying action points for implementation and adherence by all which includes that persons inside the micro-containment zone should isolate themselves completely during the notified period.

There should be no visitors, including relatives and friends.

Respective DCs and SPs will enforce stringent isolation and all persons, including elected representatives, local clubs and families, are requested to cooperate in a 'whole of society' mission to overcome Covid in Manipur, it said.

The order continued that all persons in the micro-containment zone should wear face masks inside the house to prevent infection within the household.

DCs, in coordination with elected representatives/local clubs, will facilitate the purchase/delivery of essential commodities required by these persons.

SPs will arrange for daily visits by police personnel to the micro-containment zones to ensure compliance.

Violators will be booked under relevant provisions promptly.

When a micro-containment zone order is issued, it is desirable that other nearby houses outside the zone should also adopt self-isolation to the maximum extent possible, it directed.

The order also advised that wherever the house is not suitable for home isolation, the DC and CMO will arrange for shifting of the patient to Community Home Isolation Centre (CHIC) or Covid Care Centre.

Affected families and local clubs have been urged to cooperate in this matter.

Undetected Covid positive persons are another major source of spreading Covid infection.

Therefore, all persons should take Covid tests immediately and self-isolate whenever there is any symptom or doubts about contact with Covid positive person, the chief secretary said, adding that free testing facilities are available in all the districts.

The order further mentioned that a special drive for house to house Covid testing will be taken up by sending out mobile teams.

DCs and CMOs will coordinate with elected representatives/local clubs in this regard.

Each DC will designate a district nodal officer and supporting team by utilising staff from different departments.

Adequate number of mobile testing teams should be constituted by the DC/CMO and suitable mobility support arranged, it instructed.

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