NNN | IMPHAL, July 23: Ahead of the ‘complete’ COVID-19 lockdown that commenced on Thursday at 2 pm in Manipur, heavy rush was witnessed at almost all the markets across Imphal as people resorted to panic buying.
Following a cabinet decision, Manipur chief secretary Dr Suresh Babu on Thursday ordered ‘complete’ lockdown of the entire State from Thursday at 2 pm till July 31.
The order issued by the chief secretary who is also chairperson of State Executive Committee of the State Disaster Management Authority stated that infections of COVID-19 have been detected in some people who have no travel histories outside the State.
The cabinet decided to impose a ‘stringent’ lockdown after various issues relating to COVID-19 including the spread of infection in the State were reviewed on July 22, the order added.
Certain activities in 13 sectors, which include among others, supply of essential commodities, movement of goods transport and health related activities are exempted from ‘complete’ lockdown. Print and electronic media, courier services, private security services, food processing units and bottle water manufacturing and distribution are also kept outside the purview of the lockdown.
These permitted activities are subjected to observance of National Directive for COVID-19 Management, the order stated.
District magistrates of all the 16 districts of the State have also issued orders promulgating curfew restricting people moving out of their respective residences with effect from Thursday at 2 pm till July 31 to enforce the complete lockdown.
Meanwhile, ahead of the imposition of the lockdown, traffic jams were witnessed at many places in the state capital and other districts as people thronged the local markets in large numbers in a bid to hoard essential items.
People were seen purchasing essential items such as potatoes, onions and vegetables in huge quantities as they thronged mostly at those shops which deal with grocery items.
There was a mad rush at fuel pumps too. Serpentine queues of people on their vehicles were seen in front of the fuel stations.