Mizoram chief secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo on Sunday said supply of essential commodities from neighbouring states coming via Vairengte is unlikely to be disrupted despite the closure of borders.
He said the State Government on Saturday closed all entry points along the inter-state and international borders with the order of state-wide partial shutdown.
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“All the entry points to the state are being closed except with Assam in Vairengte where transportation of essential commodities and stranded native of Mizoram are allowed to enter the state,” Chuaungo told a press conference on Sunday in Aizawl.
The Mizoram government on Sunday imposed an eight-day partial lockdown across the State to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Though the State Government did not ban flight service all incoming passengers from abroad were instructed to stay back at their respective places and not enter the State, the chief secretary said.
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As for those who are enroute to Mizoram from other states by flight, their family should arrange transport at Lengpui airport in consultation with local level task force in which chairman of respective local councils and village councils are the task force chairman, according to Chuaungo.
The family should maintain a good record of the driver’s number, vehicle number and informed the same along with the pick-up time, he said, adding that no person other than the driver is allowed to pick-up a passenger from airport.
According to the chief secretary, the incoming passengers or residents were not allowed to hold in Aizawl or middle of the way but they should directly go to their respective towns or villages.
He said a 14-day home quarantine is mandatory for any person, who returned from outside the State by flight and if he/she fails to meet the state Health department’s guidelines or has no room for self quarantine, he must be lodged at government-designated quarantine facility at Lengpui.
The person will be allowed to discharge from the quarantine facility once he could arrange a vehicle for transportation, he said.
On essential commodities, Chuaungo said they can be bought in consultation with local level task force.
He said public sector and private sector banks will be allowed to open just for normal office work but should not entertain customers.
The State Government on Friday issued an office memorandum instructing all heads of state government departments and offices to ensure that only 50 per cent of Group B, C & D employees of the State Government attend office every day and the rest should work from home to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Chuaungo also said that the State Government has decided to cut staff attendance by more than 50 per cent.
He said the state’s General Administration Department on Friday issued office memorandum instructing all heads of state government departments and offices to ensure that only 50 per cent of Group B, C & D employees of the State Government attend office every day and the rest should work from home to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“We reviewed the decision with chief minister Zoramthanga and health minister Dr R Lalthangliana and decided that staff attendance should be cut below 50 per cent,” he said.
Those staff, secretaries, heads of departments and heads of assistance are required to attend office should go to the office and the rest should work from home either through telephone, internet and electronic media.
Meanwhile, state nodal officer of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and epidemiologist Dr Pachuau Lalmalsawma said at least 10 samples have been tested and all of them tested negative.
He said the Health department has also collected a sample from a patient in Siaha and also closely monitoring those students, who returned recently from Delhi, where they were reportedly living with Covid-19 positive patients.