Total lockdown in Arunachal Pradesh Capital extended till August 3

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh government has extended the total lockdown in the Capital Complex for another two weeks in the wake of the spurt in COVID-19 cases in the region, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar announced on Sunday.

The restrictions, which were imposed till Monday evening, have been extended till 5 am on August 3, he said addressing a virtual press conference. The State Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu took the decision on Friday after reviewing the scenario in the Capital region, he said, adding that the reason it was extended for two more weeks was the surge in COVID-19 cases.

"The district administration needs more time to control the local transmission by carrying out antigen tests of all the primary and secondary contacts of the COVID-19 patients," he pointed out.

The Chief Secretary further said that no movement of people and vehicles, other than those of essential services, will be allowed during the period. The district administration will ensure home delivery of essential items. Grocery stores in sectors and colonies will be also allowed to open, he said. Important government offices would also remain open during the period, Kumar said.

The State government has already constituted 20 medical teams which would visit various localities of the capital region for rapid antigen tests, he said. "In the next two weeks, we will try to contain the spread of the virus in the capital region. We will undertake extensive antigen tests so that a large section of people could be covered," Kumar said, adding that "in other districts, the situation is under control."

The surveillance process would be supervised by the District Medical Officer (DMO) under the guidance of the Health Secretary and the Director of Health Services. The exercise will be monitored by the Capital administration along with the Superintendent of Police (SP).

The Chief Secretary further stated that since the Centre has extended the term of the 'Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojana' (PMGKY) for another five months, the State government has decided to mandatorily test drivers coming in to deliver essentials under the scheme.

Vehicles supplying essential items to the State will be allowed to enter only when the drivers and others are found to be negative after conducting the antigen tests at the checkgates. We have sufficient antigen test kits at the entry gates, Kumar added.

All the personnel of police and paramilitary forces coming to the State from other parts of the country would also have to undergo mandatory antigen tests, he said.

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