AIZAWL, May 1 - Even though Mizoram has only one COVID-19 patient and that too apparently not a local transmission, doctors here have recommended extension of the lockdown till May 31.
The Mizoram State Branch of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Mizoram Government Doctors� Association on Thursday submitted their suggestion to the State Government for extension of the ongoing lockdown.
IMA Mizoram Branch president Dr Rosangluaia said they are of the view that even though Mizoram has only one COVID-19 patient as of now, there are still chances of having imported cases as the Mizoram Government is bringing back citizens stranded in other States.
While favouring extension of the lockdown, the doctors� association took into account the possible negative impact of further extension of the lockdown on the local economy. Therefore, it suggested that shops be allowed to open during daytime with some restrictions.
�Curfew may be imposed at night,� the doctors suggested. They also strongly suggested that security should be tightened along the international and inter-State borders.
Dr Rosangluaia said, �If all the stranded citizens brought back from other States test negative, we can say that we are 99 per cent safe.�
The Mizoram Government has started bringing back its citizens from neighbouring Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya.
Altogether 639 citizens have reported as stranded in these four States. They will be subjected to a thorough medical examination at entry points on the border and those tested positive for COVID-19 will be kept in isolation centres, while the rest will be quarantined in their respective districts.
The Mizoram Government, however, is yet to take any decision on extending the lockdown, which began on March 21, two days prior to the nationwide lockdown.
