IMPHAL, Nov 2 - In a move to control the continuous rise of COVID- 19 positive cases in Manipur, the state government has issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for Covid-appropriate behaviour at local, village and community level.
State Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar, who is the chairperson of the state executive committee of the state disaster management authority, issued a notification in this regard on Saturday.
As per the new guidelines for ensuring Covid-appropriate behaviour at localities, village and community level, various enforcement committees such as state, assembly, district and local level on Covid awareness will be constituted apart from establishing a state-level monitoring cell to generate Covid awareness and enforcement activities.
On the other hand, according to the new SoP for Covid-appropriate behaviour, shops will draw circles/squares in front of their establishments to ensure proper queuing and distancing by customers.
�Local shops that do not enforce physical distancing by their customers may be forcibly closed for one week,�it said, adding that selling of tobacco products like pan, khaini etc., shall be restricted in all localities.
Local Covid Awareness-cum-Enforcement Committees (LCC) formed by the Assembly-segment Covid Awareness-cum-Enforcement Committees will monitor people visiting the local tea stalls, vegetable vendors, shops etc., to ensure Covid-appropriate behaviour like wearing of face masks, maintaining a minimum distance of 6 feet and frequent hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
Social and customary ceremonies, rituals and funerals should be organised for the family members only, it said. People should stay safely at home and go out only when essential and unavoidable, it said. Get-together, mingling with neighbours, friends or relatives, playing cards/ludo, gathering at tea shops, occupying public places/spaces in groups should be avoided, it added. Consumption of alcoholic drinks is prohibited.
Restrictions may be in place in regard to entry and exit of non-locals during night, it said.
