Although the Coronavirus cases continue to rise in Mizoram, the state government has decided to further relax certain lockdown restrictions to maintain balance between economic activities and disease containment measures.
In an order, the state government allowed re-opening of religious places (churches) partially for morning and evening prayers (not for worship service or congregation) and also permitted sports practice with 10 people for indoor and 25 for outdoor games in all parts of the state.
Cycling exercise and morning or evening walk is also permitted twice a week in Aizawl Municipal Corporation (AMC) area, while in other parts of the state it will be carried out as per the arrangement made by deputy commissioners.
The new order came into operative from 4 am of June 30 and will remain in force till mid-night of July 15.
The order allowed commercial passenger vehicles to resume operation not exceeding the seating capacity.
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One-third of the existing public transports in AMC area such as city buses, taxis and two-wheeler taxis are allowed to ply on ration between Monday and Saturday based on the arrangement made by Aizawl traffic SP, while separate arrangement on public transport services will be made in other parts of the state by deputy commissioners.
Drivers and conductors should be recipients of at least the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, it said.
Educational institutions, public parks, picnic spots, movie theatres, gymnasiums and community halls will continue to remain close in all parts of the state.
Social or public gathering and anniversary celebrations continue to remain prohibited, while the number of attendees at funerals and weddings is fixed at 30.
Besides government offices, private owned companies or consultancy services will now be allowed to open in all parts of the state.
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However, in AMC area, they will be opened two days in a week and in other parts of the state they will be opened based on deputy commissioners’ arrangement.
Apart from shops dealing with essential commodities, medicines and agricultural seeds or equipment, which are allowed to open every day in all parts of the state, other shops or business establishments in AMC area will be divided into three groups by deputy commissioner and concerned local task forces and will be allowed to open on specific days based on their categorisation.
Essential commodity shops are allowed to open daily morning till 9 pm in AMC area.
In other parts of the state, deputy commissioners will make arrangement for opening of shops other than those dealing with medicines and agricultural seeds.
Courier service, e-commerce and home delivery system are also allowed in all parts of the state.
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Only vaccinated individuals should be engaged for manning shops and stores or undertaking any works, the order said.
Other economic activities, including constructions, working on agriculture fields and farms will function normally under strict Covid-19 protocols.
Non-essential errands, including casual visit and loitering which are not related to livelihood and emergency matters are strictly prohibited, the order said.
All persons, barring government servants detailed to attend office and others having specific permission, are prohibited to move outside during the restriction period, it added.