In view of the sudden increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases among the returnees, the Manipur government on Monday ordered complete curfew and lockdown in all the containment zones as notified by respective deputy commissioners till June 30, official sources said on Monday.
Government spokesperson Th Radheshyam told mediapersons that there will be curfew in Imphal city and other district headquarters from 2 pm to 5 am on all days till June 15 while curfew will be imposed from 5 pm to 5 am till June 30 in the other areas.
Highlighting the activities that are prohibited from June 1 to 30 throughout the state, Radheshyam said that all interstate bus services and inter district public transport except those permitted by the home department are prohibited from plying.
Schools, colleges, educational, coaching and training institutions, all cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasium, swimming pool, entertainment parks, theatres, auditorium, assembly halls and similar places shall remained closed and all social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions/ other gatherings and large congregations are prohibited till June 30.
Hotels, restaurants, hospitality services except those meant for housing health, police, government officials, healthcare workers and stranded persons, including tourists; saloons and spas; all three markets in Ima Keithel and retail shops in Ngari Gali are not allowed to open as per the latest guidelines framed by the state, said the minister.
Radheshyam further informed that all activities related to essential services; health related activities like hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, laboratories and veterinary hospitals are permitted to be open throughout the state.
Likewise, in the social sector, operation of homes for children, disabled, mentally challenged, senior citizens, destitutes, women, widows; observation homes, after care homes, juvenile homes and anganwadi centres are allowed.
Home delivery of food by restaurants and outlets, mineral water manufacturing and distribution, food processing services, MSME-related activities in rural areas, private security services, courier services are permitted, Radheshyam said adding that microfinancing institutions approved by competent authority, distribution of LPG through home delivery, postal services including post office and petrol pumps will be allowed to open.
Meanwhile, activities that are permitted in areas except, Imphal city and district headquarters from 6 am to 4 pm include opening of locality based retail shops; agricultural and related activities like farming operations by farmers and farm workers in the field; MGNREGA works; construction of roads and railway projects in rural areas, construction and maintenance of water supply schemes, opening of brick fields; collection, processing, distribution and sale of milk and milk products; operation of poultry farms and hatcheries and animal feed manufacturing.
In Imphal city and other district headquarters, home delivery of essential commodities; locality based retail shops except those in Dharmasala area, Thangal Bazar and Paona Bazar for which separate order will be issued; wholesale markets for sale to retail shops as permitted by DCs on rotation; petrol pumps, etc. have been allowed to open between June 1 to June 15 from 6 am to 2 pm.
The minister said all these exemptions and relaxations should be in strict adherence to the National Directives for COVID-19 Management. He went on to say that Manipur has been handling the COVID-19 crisis well as far as there has been no detection of community transmission.
While seeking cooperation from the people, he appealed to all to act responsibly and follow the guidelines and orders of the government. He also warned that the government may be compelled to take up the extreme step of imposing complete curfew in the entire state if the people do not cooperate.
