The Manipur government on Monday extended curfew till May 28 in the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Ukhrul. The curfew which was to end on May 17 was extended in view of the need to ensure stringent measures to check physical contact among people and flatten the COVID-19 curve in the state, the government stated.
The state government on May 7 had ordered imposition of curfew till May 17 and restricted activities to a few essential services in the mentioned districts in view of the exponential increase in the number of infections in these districts. This was followed by another order dated May 11 that allowed limited activities to mitigate the hardships of the public, stated an order issued by the Home department on Monday.
The curfew order in the seven districts included the following:
1. Strict ban on vehicular movement to continue even during 7 am to 10 am relaxation period.
2. Closure of three Ima Keithels, its adjoining markets and the local markets of Local markets at Khurai Lamlong, Andro Parking, Lambulane, Kongba, Pishum thong, Kwakeithel, Nagamapal, Singjamei Bazaar, Wahengbam Leikai and major other major markets in other districts.
Additional guideline for the other nine districts of the state apart from the instructions issued on May 7
1. Residents of the nine districts with no curfew (i.e. Senapati, Kangpokpi, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Pheizawl, Noney, Tamenglong and Jiribam) should not be allowed to travel to the seven districts where curfew has been imposed.
2. Residents of the seven districts (i.e. Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Ukhrul) where curfew has been imposed should not be allowed to enter the other nine districts, the order further mentioned.
3. IEC activities to constantly remind the public of the need to strictly follow Covid Appropriate Behaviour should be taken up vigorously, it stated.
4. Villages/ Leikais without Covid cases should be encouraged to display ‘My Village/Leikai is Corona Free’ at the entrance of their village or Leikai.
5. Deputy commissioners should constantly monitor the spread of the infection in the district and areas within the district, it stated.
6. Deputy commissioners and superintendents of Police should take necessary action to implement the orders, it added.
Permitted activities and services during the curfew extended in seven districts:
1. All healthcare facilities, including animal healthcare, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and all pharmacies, including those selling veterinary medicines.
2. Movement of healthcare workers.
3. All persons going for COVID-19 vaccination, COVID testing and medical emergencies.
4. All employees and personal staff working in Media, Power, Fire Service, PHED, CAFPD, Home, Health, Relief & DM, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Finance and Treasuries and Police departments and District Administration (all other offices to remain closed).
5. Movement of goods vehicles, including those carrying construction materials, oxygen supply related vehicles, LPG and Oil tankers and vehicles of other essential services like Power supply, water supply, waste/garbage clearance, Public Distribution System, medical/covid services, electronic and print media, internet and telecom service providers and vehicles of personnel of departments/ organizations.
6. Opening of Petrol pumps and LPG outlets and movement of staff of IOCL.
7. Imphal airport to remain open and movement of staff and passengers to continue.
8. Hotels for lodging to remain open with minimum staff while restaurants will remain closed.
9. Child Protection Services (Orphanages, Children Homes, Observation Homes, etc).
10. Home delivery services under ICDS/ICPS (supplementary nutrition for children, pregnant and lactating mothers).
11. Home delivery of various goods and services (food items, vegetables, groceries, medicines, etc) including e-commerce platforms.
12. Banking services with limited staff on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 2.30 pm for urgent Government and non-government transactions.
13. ATM services, including refilling of cash in ATMs.
14. Sale of fish feed, animal feed, milk and milk products, fish, poultry and poultry products from 7 Am to 2 PM for purchase by locals.
15. Postal services with limited staff on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 2.30 pm to dispose of time bound works including delivery of medicines and medical equipment.
16. Local vegetable vendors to open from 7 am to 10 am for purchase by the locals on May 20, 23 and 26.
17. Vegetable vendors to be seated at least six feet away from one another and should wear masks all the time.
18. Only one out of three grocery shops of the total shops or vendors in one location to open on rotational basis from 7 am to 10 am on May 20, 23 and 26.
19. If the shops or vendors are located in congested rows (on major roads like NH both sides may open), then only alternate rows will be allowed to open.
20. Queue system to be adopted by all shops and vendors.
