DIPR, May 31, 2020: As a preventive measure to stop further spread of COVID-19, Chief Minister Shri N. Biren Singh said that the lockdown in the State will be continued till 30th June, 2020. This was stated by him during a press briefing held at Chief Minister’s Secretariat today.
Stating that lockdown is one of the preventive ways to stop further spread of the disease, Chief Minister maintained that the imposition of lockdown and curfew is to save the lives of the people. The Chief Minister said that the MSME sectors, agriculture and horticulture related activities, MNREGS work etc. will be allowed during the lockdown. However, he cautioned that social distancing and advisories and protocols laid down by WHO and Health Ministry must be obeyed by the people.
Highlighting some of measures taken up by the government to tackle the pandemic recently, Chief Minister said that a 100 bedded dedicated COVID-19 hospital would be set up within 10 days in the State. The number of tests in the laboratories at RIMS and JNIMS has been increased to above 1000 tests per day and thermal scanners have been installed at Imphal International Airport, he added. He stated that the government has directed the Chief Medical Officers of all districts to recruit volunteers and trained nurses. He stated that the number of Institutional and Community Quarantine centres have been increased so as to accommodate the natives returned from different states.
Urging the people not to panic of the pandemic, Chief Minister said that there is no community transmission of the disease in the State till now. He informed that around 28,000 natives who are stranded in various parts of the country have been brought back in the State during the lockdown.
The Chief Minister urged the public to ignore rumours and trust only the advisories and guidelines issued by credible agencies like WHO, ICMR, Health Ministry etc. The meetings of Manipur State Consultative Committee for COVID-19 are being held every week to discuss the present situation and chalk out plans to fight COVID-19 in the State. He said that a Joint Committee on COVID-19 has been formed with members from different CSOs of the State to create mass awareness about COVID-19 among the people of the State. COVID-19 awareness leaflets have been published in around 24 different tribal dialects, he added.
Shri N. Biren Singh informed that as of 31st May 2020 4p.m. around 71 COVID-19 cases have been detected so far and out of which 11 patients have been fully recovered from the disease. He wished speedy recovery to all the patients who are undergoing medical treatment in the State.
Chief Minister thanked the efforts of the frontline workers, media persons, student organizations, CSOs to tackle the pandemic in the State. DIPR