A conglomerate of 15 major churches in Mizoram has asked its constituents to seek divine intervention to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitute Committee, a conglomerate of 15 major churches headed by Mizoram Presbyterian Church of India, has sent a notice to its members to hold mass prayers on Saturday or Sunday evening, its general secretary Rev. Lalrinsanga told The Telegraph on Thursday.

He said the member churches were asked to seek God’s intervention to ensure Mizoram was safe from the coronavirus threat and its global outbreak is fully contained.

“All the member churches will hold congregational prayers during church services either on Saturday or Sunday night,” he added.

Rev. Lalrinsanga said the committee also asked people not to panic and cooperate with the government. “We appealed to the people to follow and obey the dos and don’ts set by the state government in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” he said.

He also said the committee held a meeting in Aizawl on Wednesday and expressed concern over hoarding of essential commodities and hike in prices. “We appeal to the people not to hoard commodities and hike prices at this juncture,” he said.

Normalcy returned to the state on Thursday after panic buying for the last couple of days over the coronavirus threat.

Officials of food, civil supplies and consumer affairs department said there was enough stocks of rice, cooking gas and oil to last three months. The closure of borders will not affect supply of commodities, they said.

The state government formally sealed its borders with neighbouring countries and states on Wednesday. However, a few entry and exit points will be open along the international and inter-state borders under strict surveillance, the home department notification said.

Meanwhile, the central committee of Young Mizo Association has cancelled several programmes owing to the coronavirus threat.

Central YMA vice-president Lalhmachhuana said it had cancelled the general conference of Champhai and Serlui groups, annual sports meet and other important events, scheduled for later this month, as a precautionary measure.