Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, 15 May: The Itanagar capital region (ICR) administration has extended the weeklong lockdown by another 14 days (till 31 May) in view of the rising positivity rate of Covid-19 cases in the district.
The capital lockdown, which was scheduled to be over on 17 May, has now been extended to 5 am of 31 May.
As per the data available with the health department, the weekly trend of positivity rate in the ICR had increased from 0.6 percent between 1 and 7 April and is expected to increase to 19.3 percent between 13 and 19 May, indicating an 18.7 percent increase
over a period of one month.
During the extended lockdown, vehicular movement will continue to remain suspended, except those in exempted categories, such as vehicles carrying essential commodities/food items and medical supplies and other medical equipment.
Interstate and inter-district movement will be allowed only on genuine grounds.
ICR DC Talo Potom informed that those who wish to return to their home districts or wish to return to the ICR can contact the DC’s office for a one-time pass at the Covid control helpdesk for ICR at 9362813608 or via e-mail at covidcontrolroomitanagar@gmail.com.
One can draft an application, take a photograph and send them to the phone number via WhatsApp, or write an application and e-mail it for further processing.
However, the DC advised against unnecessary movement and suggested travelling only for emergencies, such as medical reasons.
He also said that people returning from outside the state will be allowed to enter the ICR on production of their travel tickets at the check gates.
Interstate and inter-district transport services will be allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity, observing Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.
As per the revised guidelines, there is also a complete ban on the movement of individuals from 2.30 pm to 5 am daily, except for exemptions to emergency/essential services and departments and those going for Covid-19 vaccination with proof of session/site registration.
Exemptions shall apply to all healthcare facilities, pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, movement of healthcare workers, including those for animal healthcare, Covid-19 vaccination, Covid testing and medical emergencies, officials on Covid duty, all establishments and personnel relating to electronic and print media and telecom/internet service providers.
While most of the restrictions and guidelines remain the same, Potom informed that essential items shops like grocery/kirana, vegetables, meat, FMCG, etc, shall be identified and permitted to open in the sectors and colonies from 6 am to 12 noon on a rotation basis.
Potom, who had held a meeting with the corporators, ZPMs, administrative officers and members of the Arunachal Chamber of Commerce & Industries and market associations, sought their cooperation in successfully implementing the containment order.
At the same time, all shops and business establishments, except those selling food rations, vegetables, meat, milk and dairy products in the main market areas, will remain closed. Delivery of food and essential services and e-commerce will be allowed.
The DC also asked the corporators and the business community to urge the public not to panic and unnecessarily hoard essential commodities as the items would be made available to them through the shops in the sectors or through the home delivery services.
Petrol pumps, LPG units, banks and ATMs shall remain open, while ensuring there is no crowding.
All religious places shall remain closed till further orders. However, the religious head of a religious place or his representative may perform minimal religious rituals/prayers.
All offices and institutions, both government and private, will remain closed as earlier, except for those in essential services, besides secretarial offices, banking and finance institutions, Doordarshan, women helpline, child protection services, prison-related services, courier services, Food Corporation of India Limited, and such.
Agriculture and allied activities and ongoing construction works will be allowed subject to the contractor/owner ensuring adherence to Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. The administrative officers concerned shall ensure that no new labourers are brought from outside.
The heads of departments and offices and the core group of officers/staff in their respective departments will attend to urgent and essential matters, including court cases. All the other government employees are to be available on call.
