Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has announced to impose night curfew from 9 pm to 5 am in the state for the entire month from Wednesday to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The decision to impose the curfew, among many others, was taken in a meeting of the State Health Task Force held here on Monday, officials said.
The meeting had detailed deliberations on the present situation, especially the observable upsurge of Covid-19 cases in the past one week and the likelihood of emergence/presence of Omicron variant in the state.
Arunachal Pradesh recorded 134 new Covid-19 cases on Monday pushing the state’s tally to 55,692. The state reported a total of 340 infections in the past 6 days.
Business establishments and government offices:
As part of the state government’s measures to check the Covid-19 spread, all shops and business establishments have been told to down shutters by 8 pm while government offices have been asked to adopt virtual functioning with only 50 percent physical attendance of essentially required staff on rotation basis and as decided by the heads of departments.
Gatherings:
According to the government order released on Monday, bars, restaurants, gyms, swimming pools, cinema halls, auditoriums, etc would be regulated for operating at 50 percent capacity while functioning of weekly markets/haats, mass and religious gatherings and other events in indoor/closed spaces would be disallowed.
Religious events may be held in outdoor/well ventilated spaces with a maximum of 100 persons with double dose vaccination observing Covid Appropriate Behavior and physical distancing norms, the order said.
Transport both public and private would be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity and strictly observing Covid Appropriate Behavior.
Schools:
The government has also announced the closure of all government and private schools and educational institutes from Wednesday with classes being conducted online on working days.
Universities, colleges and other higher technical institutions have been directed to regulate the timing of their classes with 50 percent capacity in well ventilated rooms following Covid Appropriate Behavior and physical distancing norms.
Containment measures:
All deputy commissioners have been asked to authorize or announce the needed Covid-19 containment measures and/or declare containment zones in their respective territorial jurisdictions, considering the local situation and conditions, in consultation with the health department.
“The public health containment measures recommended herein are especially considered urgent in view of the planned and upcoming Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the state, Republic Day and other local festivals leading to large physical gatherings and likely super spreader events. The physical gatherings, fairs, meetings, etc. being planned or organized in connection with the Golden Jubilee celebrations whether at state or district levels, may be called off/deferred or conducted in toned down virtual mode or online activities may be conducted in case planned,” the order read.
