In order to check the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Northeast State of Mizoram has announced a seven-day lockdown from May 10. Already in effect from 4 a.m. today it will continue till 4 a.m. on May 17.
Making this announcement a Government order, issued by the Mizoram Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, said: "Due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, it is felt necessary to impose more restrictions on the movement of people and certain activities to control and prevent further spread of Covid-19. "The competent authority has decided to enforce a total lockdown from 4 a.m. of May 10 to 4 a.m. of May 17.”
File Photo: Lockdown in Mizoram (Pic: Courtesy newsonair.com)
Though inter-State border will remain open, In order to check the spread of Coronavirus from outside, visitors or returnees coming to the State can enter only through the entry points currently opened by the State Government, if they have a negative test report. Apart from this a 10-day mandatory home isolation is mandatory for them.
Those returning to the State can choose for paid quarantine, community quarantine or Government facilities if they do not have room for self-isolation and will be required to undergo RT-PCR test after 10 days. Further, quarantine will not be mandatory for people visiting the State for less than 96 hours provided they produce Covid-19 negative certificates from Indian Council of Medical Research recognised RT-PCR on their arrival.
Besides, certificates from Truenat or CBNAT labs after rapid antigen tests will also be accepted but should not be older than 96 hours, the order said.
To check gathering of people, the order stated that in Mizoram during the lockdown, places of worship, educational institutions, public parks, picnic spots, movie theatres, gymnasiums, community halls, and restaurants, shopping complexes, malls, business shops and any other social gatherings shall remain closed throughout the State
As for the Government offices, all of them will remain shut barring health and family welfare, home, disaster management and rehabilitation, finance, information and public relations, civil aviation, district administration and offices under the Central Government.
Night curfew will be in place with all district magistrates to impose it in their respective district headquarters between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Intra-State and inter-village movements have been strictly prohibited except under exceptional or very essential case during the period, the order said.
