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Our Correspondent
Imphal, March 11 (EMN): In a bid to rein in the Covid-19 pandemic in the border state in view of the upcoming Yaoshang festival, Manipur government has issued a new set of the novel Coronavirus disease (Covid-19)-related standard operating procedures (SoPs).
Manipur chief secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar, who is also the chairperson of the executive committee of the state disaster management authority, issued an order to this effect on Tuesday.
The order said, “No activity involving person to person contact such as Thabal Chongba or Jatrawali shall be permitted” during the upcoming Yaoshang festival which is scheduled from March 27 onwards.
Thabal Chongba is a traditional folk dance while Jatrawali is a courtyard play and both the activities were performed during the Yaoshang festival. The festival is celebrated for five days in spring, starting on the full moon day of the month of Lamda (February-March). Yaoshang is considered the most important festival among the Hindus in Manipur.
Stating that the festivities of Yaoshang is likely to increase human interaction and physical contact, the new guidelines directed that “Yaoshang sports” could be organised subject to observation of relevant SoPs.
“All deputy commissioners and district superintendents of police shall enforce the above instructions strictly,” the order stated.
Last month, the state authority issued a new guideline and directed that the size of the family gatherings for social, religious and customary ceremonies should be restricted to 50 or less persons strictly. Similarly, the size of the gatherings for religious, sports, entertainment, and culture should be restricted to 100 or less persons strictly.
Meanwhile, in view of resurgence in number of Covid-19 active cases recently in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, MP and Gujarat, all passengers coming by air from those five states were tested from February 24 upon their arrival at Bir Tikendrajit International airport in Imphal.