The Mizoram’s Lunglei district administration has issued standard operating procedure for military and paramilitary forces in view of a spike in COVID-19 cases among forces, an official said.
Of the 317 total cases in the state, 118 are personnel of military and paramilitary forces and with 107 they constituted 77.53 per cent of the total active cases of 138, the official said.
He said that Lunglei deputy commissioner V.Lalsangliana on Tuesday convened a meeting with officials of Assam Rifles and Border Security Force (BSF) to discuss the situation arising out of Covid-19 spread among military and paramilitary forces.
The meeting was attended by two legislators from Lunglei district Lawmawma Tochhawng and Dr. K. Pachhunga.
Also read: Mizoram reports 20 new COVID19 cases including 16 Assam Rifles, 2 BSF, 1 NDRF jawans
131 battalion of BSF commandant, KS Nautiyal informed the meeting that about 800 BSF jawans are yet to return to Mizoram in the next two months, of which around 300 jawans will return to Lunglei district, the official said.
Earlier on July 5, Lunglei deputy commissioner had issued an order stating that no BSF or paramilitary personnel from outside will come to Lunglei district without prior permission from competent authority and the knowledge of the district administration.
The order also directed jawans to undergo mandatory medical screening and be placed under quarantine as per guidelines laid down by the state Government.
In view of the spike in COVID-19 cases among forces, the Tuesday meeting has framed SOP to be followed by military and paramilitary forces in order to curtail the spread.
The SOP said that all the military and paramilitary forces will have to strictly follow guidelines issued by the state home department and health department from time to time.
Concerned commandant or officer-in-charge will keep the district Administration updated on any incoming military and paramilitary personnel and their family members.
The SOP said that n incoming personnel will be quarantined at centres other than those identified by the government.
The concerned commandant or officer-in-charge will liaise with chief medical officer for taking samples.
The SOP also said that detailed particulars of quarantined personnel have to be submitted to the district administration in a prescribed format and quarantined personnel will be closely monitored by medics.
All returning personnel should register themselves on mCOVID-19 and Aarogya Setu mobile applications and personnel should strictly follow health and safety protocol.
Quarantined personnel will be discharged from a quarantine facility after a 14 days period provided he test negative for the virus.
Personnel should avoid close contact with people with co-morbidity and movement among in public places or civilian areas.