Newmai News Network
Aizawl | September 11
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Mizoram, the Zoramthanga government has imposed a one week lockdown in the Municipal area of the state capital Aizawl since Friday, September 11.
The decision of the Mizoram government came after the state had recorded 141 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, which was the highest single day spike in the state.
The Mizoram Health department said that, out of the 141 cases reported on Monday, 90 cases were categorized as ‘local transmission’. The Health department also said that there have been cases of COVID-19 detected through contact tracing and ‘unknown sources’. The Health department considered such a trend as “a grave concern”.
Meanwhile, the latest order of lockdown issued by state chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, “It is considered necessary to impose temporary restrictions on movement of persons in public places in Aizawl Municipal area in order to facilitate contact tracing, surveillance, testing and to reduce the local transmission rate thereby containing further spread of the disease.” The lockdown will be effective till September 17.
The order said that no residents of Aizawl are allowed to step out of their homes or compound except those exempted during the partial lockdown.
According to the order, movements--outgoing and incoming--- with regard to Aizawl Municipal Area have been prohibited till September 17. However, those in medical emergencies, emergency related to death of relatives and those entering or leaving the state by flights will be exempted from the purview of the lockdown.
The order of the state government then said that business establishments including shops dealing with essential commodities are allowed to open till 5 pm under the arrangement made by the district deputy commissioner and local level task forces.
The order also said that import of essential commodities from other areas will be allowed.
The order then said, “All educational institutions, training institutes and religious places will remain closed. However, the ongoing undergraduate examination will continue undisturbed”.
Meanwhile, the state has recorded 29 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Friday. This update takes the state’s tally of COVID-19 cases to 1353. The update also said that there are 603 active cases of COVID-19 in the state.
Compared to other Northeastern states, Mizoram’s COVID-19 tally is very low. The state has also not reported any COVID-19 related fatality case.
It can be noted here that the state government had expressed concern on Thursday with regard to the availability of facilities to address the rising cases of COVID-19 in the state.
