Manipur makes it mandatory for people entering the state to produce Covid-19 negative report

Imphal, April 16 (PTI/ Our Correspondent): The Manipur government has issued an order making it mandatory for all persons entering the state to produce a negative Covid-19 test report, an official said on Friday.

The official said the order shall become effective from April 18.

The order issued by deputy secretary, Health department, Soiminlian Lengen on Thursday said that “All persons entering Manipur, whether by air or by road, and irrespective of place of origin, shall be allowed entry only on mandatory production of a negative RT-PCR/ TrueNat/ CB-NAAT Covid-19 test report taking within 72 hours from arrival in Manipur.”

The order further said that all Army and Central Armed Police Forces units are instructed to arrange for Covid-19 testing of their personnel entering Manipur.

Meanwhile, inspector general of police and nodal officer Covid-19 of Manipur Police, Elangbam Priyokumar Singh in a press release said 284 people were fined on Thursday for not wearing face masks in public places, spitting in public and violating the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the state government.

He said the police collected INR 45,350 as fine from the 284 people for violating Covid-19 guidelines in the state.

Manipur on Thursday reported 18 new Covid-19 cases, pushing the tally in the state to 29,579. The state now has 141 active Covid-19 cases.

Manipur CM inaugurates workshop at airport

Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, today inaugurated the new electrical and mechanical workshop building at Imphal International Airport. Planning and development authority (PDA) was the implementing agency for the construction of the workshop building.

PDA chairman T Robindro, who also a sitting MLA of Thanga constituency; chairman of Loktak Development Authority L Susindro; and officials of airport authority of India were present during the inaugural function.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh appreciated the PDA officials on successful completion of the building with quality on time. Stating that upgradation of Imphal airport into an international airport was a long awaited project, he stressed on the need to develop the airport into a fully functional international airport at the earliest.

Singh also urged every implementing agency to better prepare their man power, technical knowhow and other necessary infrastructures before taking any work contract. He also stated that bearing knowledge of ground situation by concerned work agencies is necessary for timely completion of any project.

Maintaining that connectivity of Manipur with other states of India had considerably improved in the recent years, Singh stated that the government would consult with the Airport Authorities to develop necessary infrastructure and facilities for extending the operational duration of Imphal International Airport.

On the recent surge of Covid-19 positives cases in many other states, he informed that the government had issued an order making it mandatory for all persons entering in Manipur to produce a Covid-19 negative test report taken within 72 hours from their arrival time with effect from April 18. He also urged the public to refrain from unnecessary gatherings and co-operate with the government’s effort to contain the spread of the second wave of the pandemic by strictly adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs).

PDA chairman, T Robindro stated that the authority was entrusted for the construction work of the building in November 2017. He, however, stated that the project was delayed and started from November 2018 owing to certain obligations priority to the commencement of construction work. He added that the construction of the workshop building was completed in March this year.