Coronavirus scare : Health Dept mulls sealing border
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 24 2020:
Following the alarming spread of Covid-19 in various parts of the globe, the State Health Department is mulling whether to seal the border between Manipur and Myanmar or opt for other means to prevent any possible outbreak in the State.
According to an official source, Health Director Dr K Rajo presided a meeting of top officials today and minutely discussed the developing situation concerning the virus.
Fearing possible outbreak of the virus in Manipur due to its proximity with Myan-mar, the meeting deliberated on steps which can be taken up in the border areas of the two countries.
However, as there is not yet a single confirmed case of the virus in Myanmar, the meeting resolved that drastic measures like locking down the border can be put aside for now, the source added.
The source informed that as per instructions from the Centre, face masks and personal protective gears have been properly stocked.
Replying to a query on whether the State Government has made necessary preparations to respond efficiently if an outbreak does occur, the source pointed out that even a big country like China is facing trouble in combating/containing the virus.
It will be a hard battle but the Government will face it with everything at its disposal, the source assured.
Notably, COVID-19 earlier confined to China is fast spreading to many other countries.