Arunachal restricts visitors' entry to Civil Secretariat

Itanagar, Jan 20: In view of sudden rise in Covid-19 cases, particularly in the Itanagar Capital Complex, the Arunachal Pradesh Government on Thursday decided to restrict the entry of visitors in the State Civil Secretariat till February 20 next. However, those who have prior permission from the offices of Chief Minister, Dy Chief Minister, Ministers and officers will be allowed entry 'after obtaining confirmation from the concerned office over intercom', official sources said.

"…The entry of visitors in the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat will remain suspended up to 20th February 2022," the Govt 'order' issued by the Secretary, General Administration said.

"The security personnel at the main gate shall allow entry of only those visitors who have prior permission of CM/DyCM/Ministers and officers after obtaining confirmation from the concerned office over intercom.

However, entry of government officers and officials of other departments visiting Civil Secretariat on government duty are exempted from the purview of this order," it said.

The latest move to restrict the visitors' entry into the Civil Secretariat was taken amid increasing risk of further spread of the deadly virus, officials said, while adding that due to increasing infections, government has already ordered that 'offices would adopt virtual functioning with only 50% physical attendance of essentially required staff on rotation basis as decided by HoDs (heads of departments)'.

Presently, the state has 2260 active Covid-19 cases, out of which the Itanagar Capital Complex's count stood at 816 with 806 of them being treated in home isolation, as per latest data made available by the state Health Services Directorate.