The Manipur government on Wednesday extended the curfew for 10 more days till July 10 with more relaxations by observing that the COVID-19 situation in the state has improved compared to what it was in May.
However, a careful approach along with mass vaccination is required to ensure that the pandemic is controlled, stated the order issued by chief secretary and chairman, state executive committee Rajesh Kumar.
As per the order, agriculture activities, horticulture activities, shops and establishments dealing with inputs like fertiliser, seeds, pesticides, mechanical tools etc. will be permitted. Government offices of Agriculture and Horticulture departments, NREGA activities, Stationery shops and Opticians outside Thangal Bazaar and Paona Bazaar may open from 10 am to 2 pm on the days when grocery shops are closed, the order stated. Further, opening up will depend on the Covid scenario and the progress in vaccination.
Vegetable vendors (district administration should ensure that spots for spacing of vendors are clearly marked complied) and grocery shops will open as per earlier arrangement on July 1, 4, 7 and 10 from 7 am to 10 am, it stated.
The High Court can decide its activities, based on various measures taken up by the government, as deemed appropriate, it mentioned.
Deputy commissioners and Superintendents of Police can take necessary action to implement the orders strictly, it stated.
Meanwhile, the state government has announced that it will be relaxing the curfew or containment zones by assessing the Covid-19 infection scenario in the state. An order issued by the state Home department has notified all to get vaccinated at the earliest.
The order signed by state special secretary (home) H Gyan Prakash mentioned that the state government will be relaxing the curfew or containment zone order in the future, in a calibrated manner by assessing the Covid infection scenario.
While opening up without compromising public health safety, it has been considered prudent to prioritise the opening of institutions, organisations, factories, shops, markets, private offices and others where the employees and workers are Covid vaccinated, it stated.
The same would be applied to NNREGA job card holders and workers of government and private projects, it mentioned.
It further notified all the persons to get vaccinated at the earliest. There are several fixed vaccine centres where anyone above 18 years can walk-in and be vaccinated, it stated.
In addition, the state government would be ready to arrange special vaccine sessions if the number of beneficiaries is 150 or above, it stated. Any organisation or groups are welcomed to contact the deputy commissioner of the concerned district or the state mission director (NHM) at +919436206298 for organising such a special session, it added.
The chairperson, state executive committee of the State Disaster Management Authority in exercise of the power conferred under section 20(2)(a) of the Disaster Management Ac, 2005 had issued an order to impose curfew on June 11. The restriction was imposed in the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Ukhrul. The order was extended till June 30.
