The Mizoram government has rolled out regulations to prevent the spread of coronavirus, an official said.
The 10-point regulation, The Mizoram Epidemic (Covid-19) Regulations, 2020, said any person, who returned from coronavirus-affected states and countries in the past 28 days, must report to screening points and will be put under home quarantine or isolated at designated isolation facility. During the isolation period, the person must strictly follow government regulations and call toll-free helpline number 102 in case they have any health complaint.
Information should be considered authentic only when given by the principal director of health and nodal officer of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, it said.
It said no private laboratories are authorised to take or test samples for Covid-19. Any violation will invite punishment under Section 188, IPC.
During a meeting of council of ministers on Thursday, chief minister Zoramthanga said the government has allocated adequate funds for the situation.
Health minister R. Lalthangliana said efforts are on to procure testing kits and additional thermal scanners ordered to meet the requirement. He added that online issuance of inner-line permits has been temporarily suspended.
The Indo-Bangladesh border has been completely sealed. The meeting also decided to temporarily close the state museum.
The Lengpui tourist lodge and Zokhawthar village on Mizoram-Myanmar border will have designated isolation facilities. The meeting decided to set up local or village council-level task force to prevent the spread of the virus.
A health department official said on Thursday that at least 156 people, who returned from abroad, are currently under home quarantine though they did not have symptoms. He said 46,038 people have been screened so far.
On Thursday, 4,296 people were screened at Lengpui airport and other screening counters along inter-state and international borders, he said.
An official statement said Lalthangliana met Mizoram Kohhran Hruatute Committee (MKHC) members on Thursday and sought help to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
MKHC is a conglomerate of church leaders’ committee involving at least 15 major churches in the state.
Sources said some major local churches had temporarily suspended prayer services to avoid gatherings.
Many organisations and political parties, including Opposition Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) have closed their offices for this month.
The Mizoram Merchants’ Association has prohibited door-to-door vending by any individual. It advised all shopkeepers and helpers to wear protective masks and gloves and wash hands regularly.
The association also banned mass gatherings and warned members not to hike prices.
