Taking strict measures to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Arunachal Pradesh government on Sunday decided to extend the complete shutdown in the state till August 3.

Issuing an order, state Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar said that the restrictions, which were imposed till Monday evening, have been extended till 5 AM on August 3. 

During the shutdown period, movement of people and vehicles will not be allowed. However, essential services will be allowed during the period. Also Read - IPL 13 Tentative Schedule Revealed: BCCI Plans to Conduct League From September 26 to November 8

For the comfort of the people, the district administration will ensure home delivery of essential items. Moreover, the grocery stores in sectors and colonies will be allowed to open during this time.

The state government said that the important government offices will remain open during the period. In this time, the state will undertake extensive antigen tests so that a large section of people could be covered.

The development comes as the state has so far witnessed 650 cases of COVID-19. Of them, 373 are active, while 274 people have recovered from the disease and three died

Notably, the Capital Complex, which comprises Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa, has reported most of these cases with 216 people found to be positive.

Containment Zones in Arunachal Pradesh

In the wake of the rising cases of coronavirus, the Capital Complex administration and the Papum Pare district authorities have declared several areas and buildings as containment zones.

As per updates, Chiptua village in Doimukh sub-division has been declared as containment zone after six cases were detected there.

Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner, Komkar Dulom, declared seven buildings in Naharlagun and one in Itanagar as containment zones for a period of 28 days.

Arunachal Pradesh recorded 66 fresh COVID-19 cases yesterday. With this the state's tally of COVID-19 cases stands at 609, of which 431 are active cases, 175 have recovered and three have died. Itanagar Capital Complex accounted for 58 out of the 66 new cases. A total of 330 cases have been recorded so far in Itanagar Capital Complex out of which the number of active cases stands at 295. 34 patients have been discharged and one patient has died.

The Itanagar Capital Complex is under lockdown since July 6th, which was clamped due to the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in the region. The lockdown will end on 5am July 20th. However, the state health department has asked the state government to extend the lockdown. Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu yesterday reviewed the COVID situation in the state.

The West Siang district administration has also announced a week-long total 'lockdown' from July 20, to contain the spread of disease. Upper Subansiri District administration has made institutional quarantine mandatory for all those returning from the Itanagar Capital Complex area. The decision was taken in view of the increasing number of COVID cases in the capital region.