Ukhrul: Residents in Ukhrul in Manipur remained confined to their homes as the hill district entered its third day of total lockdown on Friday to contain the further spread of COVID-19.
The total shutdown was imposed by the Tangkhul Co-ordination Forum on COVID-19 (TCFC), a committee constituted by civil society organisations (CSOs) of the Tangkhul community in wake of the rising cases of the virus and to prevent the possibility of community spreading.
During the period of complete lockdown which began on July 1 and will continue till July 7, residents across the district are prohibited to venture out of their homes and to indulge in inter-district and inter-village activities.
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However, students appearing for exams, frontline workers, media persons and those on essential services are exempted from the complete lockdown.
Considering the rapid number of returnees being exposed to the virus while at quarantine centres has triggered great concerns among the public. Moreover, rush of people, both residing in Ukhrul town and villagers, to markets during the relax hours could escalate further health crisis in the district if proper measures are not in place, said Tangkhul Naga Long president Hopingson Shimray.
Over the weeks, multiple cases have been reported in the district where returnees were tested positive for COVID-19 after completing 14 days of institutional quarantine centres.
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However, since TCFC has initiated and made another 14-day community quarantine period and seven-day mandatory strict home quarantine for returnees, contacts of those tested positive could be easily traced within the quarantine centre.
In total, 35 days of quarantine period are mandatory for all the returnees from other states in the district as part of its maximum preventive measure for cluster spreading.
At present, of the total 1,279 confirmed cases for novel coronavirus in Manipur, Ukhrul district has recorded 155 cases and the number of active and recovered cases are 89 and 66, respectively.
So far, the district has witnessed two persons, including a policeman, testing positive without having a travel history.
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