The Mizoram government on Saturday extended lockdown in Aizawl till June 21 as Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the state.
The existing lockdown in Aizawl is scheduled to be lifted on June 14.
The order issued on Saturday said that new COVID-19 cases continue to rise despite the imposition of prolonged lockdown.
“It has been decided to continue with the current restrictions imposed to prevent further escalation of COVID-19 cases,” the order said.
The new guidelines with certain modifications to the guidelines issued on June 5 will remain in force from 14 June to 21 June, it said.
According to the new guidelines, residents of Aizawl are not allowed to step out of their compound and members of different families who live in the same building or housing complexes should not visit each other during the lockdown.
Intra-state or inter-village movement is strictly prohibited except under medical emergencies and exceptional cases, it said.
Deputy commissioners will announce and declare containment zone in their respective areas if the need arises, it said.
People in other parts of the state (towns and villages) are also prohibited from visiting each other during this period, the order said.
Shops dealing with essential commodities in the AMC area will be allowed to open every morning till 8 am and those dealing with agricultural seeds and equipment are also allowed to open every day from 5 am to 5 pm, it said.
Shops dealing with school textbooks, motor workshops and spare parts will open on Tuesday and those dealing with construction materials, computers, mobile phones will be opened on Friday.
Vegetable and meat markets are allowed to open on Friday between 5 am and 5 pm, it said.
However, economic and other agricultural activities outside the AMC area will function normally under strict adherence to Covid-198 protocols, the order said.
Hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, dispensaries, bank and non-banking financial institutions, post offices, filling stations, LPG storehouses, fair price shops, animal feed stores, among others, are exempted from lockdown.
All places of worship, educational institutions, public parks, picnic spots, movie theatres, gymnasiums, community halls, restaurants, shopping complexes, and malls will continue to remain close in all parts of the state.
Besides, all government offices barring a few will remain close during the extended complete lockdown in Aizawl.
However, government offices and commercial banks will be allowed to open under strict Covid-19 protocols outside the jurisdiction of the AMC area.
Mizoram on Saturday reported 178 Covid-19 cases, taking the state’s tally to 14,921.
The number of active cases now stands at 3,356, while 145 people have recovered on Saturday, which took the total recovery to 11,503.
The number of Covid-19 fatalities remains at 62.