Thabal Chongba banned this year amidst fear of COVID-19 2nd wave

Apprehending a second wave of Covid-19, Manipur government has banned Thabal Chongba, Jatrawali and any other activities involving person-to-person contact during Yaoshang (Holi) festival due to commence from March 28.

Regarding the ban, an order citing the new COVID-19 SOPs was issued on Tuesday, an official said on Wednesday.

 “No activity involving person-to-person contact such as Thabal Chongba and Jatrawali shall be permitted,” the order issued by state chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar who is also chairman of the executive committee of State Disaster Management Authority stated.

However, Yaoshang sports may be organised subject to observation of relevant SOPs, the order stated while directing all DCs and SPs to enforce the restrictions strictly.

The order expressed apprehension that festivities of Yaoshang are likely to increase human interaction and physical contact which is not conducive to the second wave of COVID-19 infection being experienced in some states.

Meanwhile, the overall COVID-19 caseload in Manipur rose to 29,305 as seven fresh cases were reported in the past 24 hours (till 4 pm of March 10).

As two persons were reported as recoveries, the number of recovered cases in the state rose to 28,897.

As only two patients were recovered during the same period, the COVID-19 active case in the state rose to 35 on Wednesday against previous day’s (Tuesday) 30.

The seven new cases detected during testing of 1,252 samples in the past 24 hours included two from Imphal West and one each from Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kakching, Senapati and Tengnoupal districts. 

The state has so far tested 5,59,258 samples for COVID-19.

The death toll from the Covid-19 in the state remained at 373 as no fatality was reported on Wednesday for 29th consecutive days. The state reported no death since February 8 last.

The total number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in the state also reached 72,387 with 1,806 people vaccinated today. The beneficiaries included 30,551 healthcare workers, the Health department added.

NNN