The Manipur government has extended the night curfew (6 pm to 5am) imposed in the state for 15 more days with effect from August 23 to September 6, while lifting certain restrictions.
Certain restrictions are lifted as the number of COVID-19 positive cases detected per day is declining, albeit slowly, while the hardships of the people due to continuous closure of many establishments have increased, stated an order issued by chief secretary Rajesh Kumar.
Social gatherings and malls
The order, however, continued to impose restrictions on social gatherings and organising of feasts, opening of shopping malls and restaurants. It mentioned that unavoidable customary and religious rituals can be performed in open sheds by restricting the number of invitees to 20 only.
Offices and administration
It stated that all secretariat departments and Manipur government offices and offices of the central government to start functioning with e-office and physical attendance of Group A officers and 50 per cent of the remaining staff from August 23 by taking adequate precaution and strictly following Covid appropriate behaviour.
All employees and personal staff working in Information and Public Relations, Power, Fire Service, PHED, CAF and PD, Home, Health, Relief and DM, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Finance and Treasuries, Police, Water Resources, Agriculture and Horticulture departments and District Administration to function normally, it mentioned.
Imphal Airport
Imphal airport shall remain open and movement of staff and passengers will continue to be permitted.
Insurance companies
Offices of insurance companies with limited staff to open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 2:30 pm for public transactions and the remaining days without public transaction.
Postal Services
Postal services with limited staff on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 2:30 pm including delivery of medicines, medical equipment and posts. Limited number of officers and staff can function on the remaining days without public transaction, it stated.
Banking Services
It further mentioned that banking services with limited staff on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 am to 2:30 pm for urgent government and non-government transactions only and a limited number of officers and staff can function on the remaining days without public transaction.
ATM Services
ATM services, including refilling of cash in ATMs, are allowed and all establishments of print and electronic media and movement of their personnel are also permitted, it added.
Health facilities
Regarding health and welfare services, the order has permitted opening of all healthcare facilities, including animal healthcare, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and movement of healthcare workers.
Opening of all pharmacies, including those selling veterinary medicines, Opening of Opticians from 10 am to 2 pm, movement of persons going for COVID-19 vaccination, COVID testing and medical emergencies, child protection services (orphanages, children homes, observation homes, etc) and home delivery services under ICDS/ICPS (supplementary nutrition for children, pregnant and lactating mothers) are also permitted, it mentioned.
Farming activities
The order also permitted all agricultural, and horticultural, fish farm and poultry, animal farm activities and opening of shops and establishments dealing with inputs like fertiliser, seeds, pesticides, mechanical tools, fish feed and animal feed.
Rice mills and bakeries, petrol pumps and LPG
It also permitted opening of rice mills and bakeries subject to taking adequate precaution and strictly following Covid Appropriate Behaviour and stated that opening of petrol pumps and LPG outlets and movement of staff of IOCL will continue to be permitted.
Heavy items shops
All standalone shops like shops selling construction material, hardware, electrical items, cement, stationery and others located outside Paona Bazaar and Thangal Bazaar are also allowed to open from 7am to 2pm, it added.
Vehicle workshops
It mentioned that all vehicle workshops may open from 9 am to 3 pm on all days taking adequate precaution and strictly following Covid Appropriate Behaviour.
Vegetable vendors
It further permitted opening of local vegetable vendors from 7am to 2 pm for purchase by the locals on all days wherein the vegetable vendors should be seated at least six feet away from one another on spaces marked by district administration and should wear masks all the time.
Grocery shops
Local grocery shops may open from 7 am to 2 pm and shops selling fish, poultry and poultry products from 8 am to 2 pm, it further stated, adding shops selling milk and fresh milk products can open every day from 6am to 9am.
The order further mentioned that the wholesale shops of grocery and food essentials located in Thangal Bazaar and Masjid Road will be allowed to open from 7am to 2pm as per a schedule.
Markets
As per the schedule, Thangal Bazar will be opened for retailers of Imphal West and Masjid Road will be opened for Imphal East on Sunday; Thangal Bazar will be opened for Senapati and Kangpokpi and Masjid Road for Kamjong and on Monday; Thangal Bazar will be opened for Noney and Bishnupur and Masjid Road for Tamenglong on Tuesday; Thangal Bazar for Ukhrul and Chandel and Masjid Road for Pherzawal on Wednesday; Thangal Bazar for Thoubal and Kakching and Masjid Road for Tengnoupal on Thursday; Thangal Bazar for Churachandpur and Masjid Road for Jiribam on Friday and Thangal Bazar will be opened for Imphal West and Masjid Road will be opened for Imphal East on Saturday, it stated.
According to the order, there will be opening of shops from 8 am to 2pm in Thangal and Paona Bazar on roster except for shops in gullies or by-lanes between buildings as per schedule.
In Thangal Bazar, shops selling clothes, shoes, stationery, sports, utensils, crockery, electrical, paint, mattress, carpets, furniture, aluminum construction materials and plywood can be opened on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Shops selling utensils, electronics, computers including service, mobiles centres, weaving yarn, motor parts, tyres, batteries, hardware sanitary fittings, tiles, marbles can be opened on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
In Paona Bazar, shops selling jewellery, cosmetics, photo, luggage and bag, stationery, cycle, glass and ply, clothes (only eastern side), dry cleaners, mattress, carpets and furniture can be opened on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Shops selling clothes (only western side), shoes, weaving yarn, computer, mobile including service centres, electronics, sports and eye glasses on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Hotels and lodges
The order also mentioned that hotels for lodging will be allowed to remain open with minimum staff, home delivery of various goods and services (food items, vegetables, groceries, medicines, and others) including e-commerce platforms will be permitted.
Other services
It also gives permission for private security services, food processing units including manufacturing units in industrial estates, mineral water manufacturing and distribution. Vehicles showrooms and servicing centres of vehicles from 8 am to 2 pm are also permitted.
Construction activities
It also permitted construction activities subject to onsite stay arrangements of workers for NREGA activities of RDPR, railway projects, NHIDCL projects, ADB projects, NDB projects of PHED, PMGSY of RDPR, National Sports University, Smart City project of MAHUD and other important projects of the government.
Micro containment zones
The order further mentioned that micro containment zones shall be strictly monitored by dedicated police department teams and Health department teams and the DCs to involve the local clubs, local bodies with specific jurisdictions.
Isolation | CCC
New cases of COVID-19 infections shall be isolated as soon as possible and brought to the CCC and the Health department shall scale up vaccination, contact tracing and testing by providing additional centres, manpower, mobility support and IEC-Advocacy, it stated.
District DCs shall issue necessary orders and SOPs and take necessary action to implement the orders strictly and the High Court may issue orders in respect of judicial courts, it added.
