Mizoram: 7-day total lockdown in Aizawl as COVID-19 cases rise

Aizawl: The Mizoram government has re-imposed a 7-day total lockdown in Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) area more than two weeks after easing lockdown restrictions as the rising Covid-19 cases remain unabated in the state.

The order issued on Friday said the total lockdown in AMC area will come into force from July 18 till midnight of July 24.

Movement of people, including casual visit of neighbours or relatives residing in the same  building complex, is strictly prohibited during the full lockdown, the order said.

Lockdown or any other stringent restrictions may be imposed in other parts of the state by deputy commissioners depending on the Covid-19 situation, it said.

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Earlier, the Mizoram government has eased lockdown restrictions in AMC area and other parts of the state from June 30, which will remain in force till midnight of July 17.

The new order on Friday said that despite the prolonged lockdown, which had severely affected economic activities and daily life, the trajectory of COVID-19 positive cases continue to rise with the daily average of new cases increasing steadily from 55 in April to 202 in May to 270 in June, and finally to 381 in the first fortnight of July.

With majority of news cases being reported from AMC area, the imposition of total lockdown AMC area is necessary to curtail further surge as the current trend of Covid-19 transmission is likely to overburden the fragile healthcare infrastructure of the state at certain point of time, the order said.

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The order said that all places of worship and religious congregation, educational institutions, public parks, pinic spots, private companies, government offices barring a few, gymnasium, among others, will remain closed.

Sports practice, public gathering and public amusement  are also strictly prohibited, it said.

Essential services like water and electricity supply, medical service, hospital, dispensaries, pharmacies, vaccination, LPG distribution, filing stations, among others, will either open or function normally.

All shops will be closed in AMC area except those dealing with essential commodities, which are to be opened as per arrangement made by respective local task forces.

All commercial vehicles will also cease to operate during the complete lockdown.

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