Manipur declares whole of greater Imphal area as containment zone for 7 days

Imphal, April 30-The Manipur government has declared the whole of greater Imphal as a containment zone with immediate effect for a period of seven days.

Chief Secretary in-charge MH Khan who is also the chairman in-charge of state executive committee of the state disaster management authority issued an order in this regard on Thursday night.

As per the order,all activities and movement of persons would remain suspended during this period in the containment area except the permitted activities.

The permitted activities include movement of goods vehicles carrying oxygen/oxygen cylinders,all healthcare facilities including animal healthcare, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and movement of healthcare workers,all pharmacies including those selling veterinary medicines.All persons going for COVID-19 vaccination, Covid testing and medical emergencies.

All employees and personal staff working in Home, Health, Relief & Disaster Management, Police departments and District Administrations (all other offices in the Greater Imphal area will remain closed). All personnel deployed for providing essential services like drinking water, power, fire fighting, waste/garbage collection, ATM services.

Other permitted activities are all vegetable, fish/meat vendors (except in Ima Keithels or women's market), milk booths,all grocery stores including animal feed shops for purchase from 6 am to 10 am.

At the same time wholesale shops in Imphal may open at the rate of one in three shops on rotation from 6 am to 10 am,it said.

Opening of Petrol pumps as usual while ensuring there is no crowding,all establishment and personnel relating to electronic and print media, telecom service providers,opening of hotels for lodging(except Restaurants) besides food and grocery delivery service providers are permitted.

Imphal airport shall remain open and movement of staff and passengers would be permitted,it added.

On Thursday, Manipur reported 314 new COVID 19 positive cases, the highest ever single day spike figure for this year, taking the state's total infection tally to 31,315 besides increasing the total number of active cases to 1225, official sources said. Five more persons also expired due to COVID 19 in Imphal in the last 24 hours. The state's total cumulative number of deaths increases to 400.