In Mizoram, the state government has decided to go into a total lockdown for 14 days starting from tomorrow to the 22nd of this month. It was decided at a top-level meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister Zoramthanga today.

Among others, most of the Ministers, top officials, doctors and representatives of different committees joined this meeting. The state government has also decided that the period of institutional quarantine will be extended now up to 21 days, instead of 14 days.

Earlier on 30th May, the state government had declared lockdown from 1st June to 30th June with wider relaxations to facilitate business and transport services, while shops and markets are imposed restrictions for functioning from 5 am to 5 pm, and a ban on inter-state movement except carrying essential goods.

Officials said, in view of the spike in Covid positive cases in the last week, the government reviewed the situation today and decided to impose total lockdown for the next fortnight. However, rural areas, which are relatively out of the danger zone will be exempted from these strict rules.

The Chairman of the State Medical Team for Covid-19, Dr. Thiamsanga observed that the total lockdown is preferable to prevent the community spread of Covid-19. As of today, the state has recorded 41 positive cases of coronavirus infected people.

Health Minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana said that stranded people after returning to the state will be put in 21 days institutional quarantine. He said that home quarantine facilities will be given to only exceptional cases, subject to the recommendation given by the doctors.

The Health Minister also stated that the state RNA Extractor will be available by the next three days and the state is getting 50 ventilators from the Union Health Ministry soon.

Chief Secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo asked people to follow the new guidelines, going to be issued soon by the State executive committee of the Mizoram state disaster management authority.

Recently, in Mizoram, medical workers, particularly the staff engaged in field laboratory units took a unique pledge at Aizawl yesterday in the fight against Covid-19.

Dr. Pachuau Lalmslsawma, epidemiologist & spokesman of state nodal Covid-19 task group administered the pledge to the health workers including doctors, nurses, lab technicians and sample collectors under the East and West CMO offices at Aizawl. Followed by oath taking, the medical staff and swab sample collectors began their outdoor move to collect samples from people sheltered at different quarantine centres.