Coronavirus: Educational institutions closed till April 5 in Arunachal Pradesh

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government on Monday announced the closure of all educational institutions in the State with immediate effect till April 5 in order to prevent the possibility of the outbreak and spread of Novel coronavirus (Covid-19) among the citizens.

Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar in an order said that all educational institutions in the state would remain close till April 5 except those for conducting board and final examinations.

Kumar in the order also suspended operations of all halls, multiplexes and mini cinema halls besides suspension of all weekly markets.

The order directed the people to avoid any gathering on social, cultural, political, religious, academic issues, sports, conference and family mass gathering except marriages. The chief secretary also directed the malls and shop owners to disinfect their shops regularly.

Kumar directed the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Police of all districts to ensure strict compliance of the order.

In another order, Capital Complex DC Komkar Dulom has suspended all the weekly markets within the state capital temporarily.

Dulom in his order stated that there is huge inflow of traders and vegetable vendors from neighbouring Assam and other districts of the State through weekly markets, which has potential of spread of coronavirus if such markets are left unregulated due to heavy human congregation.

The District Magistrate has directed the town magistrates and member secretary of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) to enforce the order with the help of police.

Dulom in another order also restricted mass congregation of daily wage labourers at various locations in Itanagar and Naharlagun with immediate effect till further order. The DM also directed the officers in charge of Banderdewa and Hollongi check gates to check and stop movement of large number of daily wage labourers into the state capital.

Meanwhile, Papum Pare district Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu in an emergency meeting at his office during the day decided to undertake screening of all passengers entering the state capital at the check gates of Banderdewa, Hollongi Gumto, Kimin besides Naharlagun Railway station and Naharlagun Helipad.

The DC during the meeting also decided for temporary closure of all the weekly markets besides construction of small tent houses for screening teams, construction of toilet and facilities of power and water supply in the screening points and providing two vehicles for the COVID-19 activities in the district.

The meeting also decided to include police personnel, veterinary officials in the orientation training on COVID-19 to be conducted at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) at Naharlagun, near here, on March 18 next.

The Health department has issued an advisory to the public to avoid or postpone mass gatherings, if possible.

“In addition to hand and respiratory hygiene, experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19). In view of the above, it is advised that mass gatherings may be avoided or possibly be postponed if possible,” a press statement from the health department said.

Till date, no Covid-19 cases have been detected in Arunachal.

On Sunday, eight passengers who arrived at the airport at Pasighat in East Siang district were screened with non-contact infrared thermometer for temperature monitoring.

The health department said all eight passengers were found to be afebrile (not feverish).

A total of 450 railway passengers and 42 passengers at the helipad at Naharlagun have been screened so far.

Also Read: COVID-19: Arunachal screens passengers at Naharlagun railway station, helipad

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