Manipur’s iconic Ima Keithel closed for 10 days amid COVID-19 surge

Imphal: The Manipur government on Wednesday announced the closure of the historic Ima Keithel (Mother’s market) for 10 days as a preventive measure to tackle the sudden rise of COVID-19 cases in the state in the past few weeks.

Issuing an order, chief secretary in-charge and chairman, state executive committee, MH Khan stated that “the increase in the number of cases since then has necessitated additional stringent measures to check the spread of the infection in the state.”

The three Ima Keithels and the adjoining temporary market will be closed for 10 days, he added.

After the closure of the historic market in Imphal for almost a year due to the pandemic, the state reopened the market only on February 15, 2021, bringing great relief to the women vendors.

Moreover, the state government has also decided to allow opening of those shops in Galis in Thangal Bazar and Paona Bazar as well as wholesale and grocery items shops in Masjid road on a rotational basis.

One in every three shops in these locations is to be opened on rotation, it said.

Also read: Manipur records highest single-day spike in COVID-19 cases

In a move to control the spread of the virus, the home department has further instructed all the public vehicles, including buses, Winger vans, Magic vans, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, etc, to carry passengers up to a maximum of 50% of their capacity and to ensure the wearing of face masks by every passenger.

Similarly, for markets in other districts, the deputy commissioners and SPs should immediately evaluate and issue suitable restriction orders, it said.

Taking to his Facebook page, chief minister N Biren Singh urged the public to cooperate with the government authorities to contain the virus at the earliest in the state.

Seeing the present pandemic situation in the state, the CM also instructed the healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and paramedical staff to station at their respective posting places

All chief medical officers (CMOs) should also report their presence to me directly, he added.

As per the latest information from the health department, Manipur has so far recorded 29,869 confirmed cases, of which 385, including 80 air passengers, are active.

The recovery rate at present stands at 97.44 per cent and the cumulative number of deaths is 378.