Arunachal govt issues new guidelines to contain Covid-19 spread

Itanagar, May 15 (UNI) In view of rapid increase in Covid-19 cases, the Arunachal Pradesh government on Saturday issued new guidelines to contain the spread of the virus.
As per an order issued by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), there shall be total ban on movement of individuals from 1500 hours to 0500 hours daily, except for exemptions to emergency / essential services and Departments, and those going for Covid vaccination with proof of session/site registration.
All shops and commercial establishments shall shut down at 1400 hours on all days. Restaurants, dhabas and other eateries can entertain dine-in guest only up to 1400 hours. Restaurants operating within a hotel or resort can allow outside guests up to 1400 hours only after which only in-house guests may be provided room service, it reads.
According to the order, delivery of essential goods through e-Commerce shall be allowed to continue with observance of Covid appropriate behaviour.
Cold storages and warehouses may continue after 1400 hours . However, sale counters, showrooms etc attached to these warehouses or cold storages shall not operate after the said time.
Pharmacies, hospitals, animal care centres and veterinary clinic shall be allowed to operate without restrictions being providers of essential and emergency services.
Marriages and religious functions will be allowed with presence of maximum of 10 persons. However, no reception parties will be allowed for post or pre-marriage functions. Funeral / last rites related gatherings shall not be more than 10 persons.
All religious places shall remain closed. However, the religious head of a religious place or his representative may perform minimal religious rituals prayers.
All public transport will be allowed to operate only up to 30 percent of seating capacity, with Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. Auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate with one driver and two passengers. Pillion riding will be totally prohibited in two wheelers, except with women and children.
As per the order, Government offices shall function till 1400 hours with 30 percent Group-C staff (on roster basis as prepared by HoD / Ho0). All Group A & B Officials shall attend office till 1400 hgours. However, this will not be applicable to Essential / Emergency services departments.
This order will come into force from 0500 hours of May 16 and continue until further orders.
Earlier, addressing a virtual press conference Principal Secretary (Health) Sharat Chauhan briefed about the Covid situation in the state and new measures for effective containment of the virus.
He informed that 77 people have succumbed to the virus since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic.
Twenty-one fatalities recorded so far this year, he said.
While Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom informed that the on-going strict containment measures (lockdown) in the region has been extended by another period of 14 days till 0500 hours of May 31, to break the chain of the virus.
He , however, said that
identified essential items shops like grocery/kirana, vegetables, meat, FMCG, etc shall be permitted to open in the sectors from 0600 hours to 1200 hours alternatively.
The DC informed that he has directed the Administrative Officers of ICR to identify such shops in consultation with concerned Corporators, DFCSO, Chamber of Commerce and APMC and notify the same in advance.
During the the said period, he said there shall be total ban on movement of individuals except for exemptions to emergency / essential services and Departments and those going for Covid-19 vaccination with proof of session/ site registration.
Delivery of food and essential services and e-Commerce will be allowed, he added.

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