Manipur govt. revises Covid-19 restrictions

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 9 (EMN): A day after making it mandatory for all persons entering the state to produce a negative Covid-19 test report, the Manipur government revised the Covid-19 restrictions including night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am in the state. Earlier the curfew was in force from 9 pm to 4 am.

Dr. Rajesh Kumar, chief secretary, Manipur, who is also the chairperson of the executive committee of the state disaster management authority issued an order “in view of the huge increase of infection by the highly mutant Covid 19 variant Omicron in the country” on Saturday.

As per the order, physical classes will be only for class 9 and above while the number of students should not exceed 50% of the capacity of the classroom.

“Online classes should be increased and physical classes reduced,” the order said.

“Only online classes in coaching centres and private tuition centres(No physical classes).

“Directing the shopping malls to ensure limiting the number of customers to 50 percent inside the Mall and strict observance of Covid Appropriate Behaviour; the eating areas of hotels or restaurants shall allow and serve only 50 percent capacity while the Gymnasium and fitness centres may open from 5 am to 12 noon.

“Social gathering is allowed subject to ensuring that Covid Appropriate Behaviour that is, wearing of mask, maintaining physical distance are followed by all present in the venue. The gathering should be preferably in open halls and spaces. In case it is held in enclosed spaces or halls, the number of people inside should not be more than 50 percent capacity of the hall/space, it added.

Micro containment zones should be strictly monitored by dedicated Police department teams and Health department teams and deputy commissioners should involve the local clubs/local bodies with specific jurisdictions.

All Central and state government offices can function with 66% physical attendance of employees by taking adequate precaution and strictly following Covid Appropriate Behaviour, the order said.

All shops and commercial establishments can open from 10 am to 4 pm. However, shops selling fish, poultry and poultry products, milk and fresh milk products are to open from 8 am to 1 pm, the order added.

On January 6, the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Manipur had notified that all air passengers/road passengers/or anybody entering the state should mandatorily carry negative Covid-19 RT PCR test report done within 48 hours of arrival/entering into the state and the directive was enforced from Saturday(January 8).

Meanwhile, Manipur reported 68 new Covid 19 positive cases, when 1,905 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, officials said. Thus the state’s total infection tally increased to 1,26,156. The total number of active cases stands at 469.

The state reported one Covid death from Ukhrul district, in the last 24 hours, official sources said. Thus the state’s Covid-19 death toll increased to 2,011.

On the other hand with just 12 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, the total number of recovered Covid-19 cases in Manipur reached 1,23,676. Thus the state’s recovery rate increases to 98.15%, according to a press release.

Presently, only 106 Covid-19 positive cases are under home isolation. Till date 14,76,923 persons were tested for Covid-19 at the various testing centres in the state, the release said.