Indefinite curfew has been imposed within Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) areas from 9pm on Wednesday in order to fight the spread of novel coronavirus, within hours of the state reporting its first positive case.

In an order issued by Aizawl deputy commissioner Vanlalngaihska, curfew has been clamped under Section 144 of CrPC and regulation 11 of the Mizoram Epidemic Disease (Covid-19) Regulations, 2020.

However, certain essential services and people, including members of task forces, security personnel, police, persons dealing in water supply, essential commodities and mediapersons are exempted from the order.

Police said the order was promulgated following alleged flouting of lockdown by the people. A 21-day nationwide lockdown was in force from Tuesday midnight to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Inspector-general of police (headquarters) John Neihlaia said nobody has been arrested in connection with violation of the lockdown. He said the police and local-level task forces are maintaining round-the-clock vigil to ensure that people stay indoors.

The Mizoram government has begun freeing up beds at Zoram Medical College (ZMC) at Falkawn near here for Covid-19 patients, a health department official said on Thursday.

Mizoram reported its first positive case after a 50-year-old pastor was detected with Covid-19 on Wednesday. He had returned to Delhi via Doha on March 15. He came to Aizawl via Guwahati on March 16. He was sent to an isolation ward in ZMC with his wife and two children on Tuesday night.

The state government recently approved ZMC as the treatment and isolation centre for Covid-19 patients.

ZMC director T. Lalhmangaihi said the government had closed all outpatient departments. She said 98 patients are being shifted to Aizawl civil hospital and private hospitals to make room for Covid-19 patients. The exercise began on Wednesday and is likely to be completed by Friday, she said.

She said a seven-bed intensive care unit (ICU) at ZMC has also been vacated.

She said the pastor was improving and stable. She said doctors and health workers are well-equipped with personal protective equipment and being quarantined at the special ward at ZMC.

State nodal officer of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and epidemiologist Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma said 10 samples were sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Thursday. He said they have received results of 16 samples so far, of which 15 have tested negative.

Chief minister Zoramthanga has donated Rs 1.2 lakh to local-level task forces in his Aizawl East-I constituency.

Lok Sabha MP C. Lalrosanga on Thursday donated Rs 15 lakh to the chief minister’s relief fund. He is also ensuring Mizo people stranded in different parts of the country face no inconvenience.

Deputy chief minister Tawnluia provided Rs 1.72 lakh to local-level task forces in his constituency, Tuichang.

South Tuipui legislator and health minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana donated Rs 1 lakh to the Hnahthial district task force on Thursday.

Congress’s Palak legislator K.T. Rokhaw also donated Rs 10 lakh to the Siaha district-level task force.