dr r lalthangliana
File image of Dr R Lalthangliana

Invoking ‘The Epidemic Diseases Act 1897’ the Mizoram government has rolled out regulations according to which the government can use force to quarantine and isolate certain people to prevent the spread of coronavirus, an official said.

The 10 points regulation was named ‘The Mizoram Epidemic (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020’ was extended to the whole of the state, the official said.

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The regulation said that any person, who returned from coronavirus affected states and countries in the past 28 days, must report to screening points and will have to put under home quarantine or isolated at designated isolation facility failing which he will be forced to be either quarantine at home or isolated at designated isolation centre.

During the isolation period, the person must strictly follow the government regulation and call state helpline number in case he has health complaint.

Any information related to the virus should not taken authentic unless otherwise given by state health principal director and nodal officer of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), the regulation said.

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The regulation also said that no private laboratories are authorized to take or test samples for coronavirus.

The government will set up sample collection centres as circumstance demands.

Any passenger coming from outside the state must report to government designated screening points for screening.

Any person, who has complaint of coronavirus like symptoms must call state helpline number-102 (toll free), 0389-2318336/ 0389-2323336.

Any violation or failure to compliance the regulation will invite legal punishment under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

Meanwhile, a meeting of council of minister was held on Thursday to review the measure taken up the state government in view of coronavirus pandemic.

Chief minister Zoramthanga, who chaired the meeting, said that the government has allocated adequate fund required for prevention of the spread of coronavirus.

State health minister Dr R Lalthangliana also informed the meeting that efforts are on to procure coronavirus test kits.

He said that additional thermal scanners have been ordered to meet the requirement.

He added that online system of Inner Line Permits has been temporarily suspended and temporary ILP is issued on exceptional case.

The cabinet meeting said that the Indo-Bangladesh has been completely sealed.

The meeting also decided to temporarily close state museum.

It was mentioned in the meeting that Lengpui tourist lodge and Zokhawthar village on Mizoram-Myanmar border has been designated isolation facility.

The meeting further decided that to set up local or village council level task force to prevent the spread of the virus.