ITANAGAR, May 07: Due to rise in positive cases of Covid 19 in Itanagar and the state, the state government on Friday after a marathon meeting of Arunachal Pradesh Disaster Management Authority (APDMA) has announced one week complete containment which can be termed as lockdown in Itanagar Capital Region from 5. AM of 10th May to 5 AM of 17th May 2021. However, the government did not directly term it as lockdown instead called it as “major containment measures” in Itanagar and major restrictions imposed across the state to break the chain of Covid transmission.
The declaration of major containment measures and restrictions across the state or impose lockdown in Itanagar came after the State Disaster Management Authority meeting which was chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu and attended by the council of ministers and the representatives from the health department, Task force members and the other stakeholders.
Briefing the media, Principal Health Secretary Dr. Sharat Chauhan informed that decision was taken to contain the virus from spreading. The principal secretary informed that the tourist Inner Line Permits shall remain suspended during the period of this order. No meeting and gathering at any open or closed spaces shall be allowed.
For marriages, only religious ceremonies will be allowed with a presence of maximum of 20 (twenty) persons. No reception parties will be allowed for post or pre marriage functions. He said.
“At all religious places, congregations of not more than five persons shall be allowed at any time. Funeral related gatherings shall not exceed more than 20 persons for each
deceased” he said.
“All shops and commercial establishments shall shut down by 4:00 PM on all days. Restaurants, Dhabas and other eateries can entertain dine-in guest only till 4:00 PM” Dr.Chauhan informed. The takeaway including home delivery of food is allowed till 6.30 PM.Restaurants operating within a Hotel or Resort can allow outside guests up to 4.00 PM only. However, in-house guests of the Hotel/Resort may be allowed to dine-in up to the usual time of operation, He said.
The order stated that the public transport authorities shall enforce COVID-19 appropriate behavior and seating inside the vehicles, carriers, containers etc. Auto Rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and taxis shall operate with one driver and two passengers, maintaining social distancing norms while city buses, Intra-district, Inter-district and Inter-state buses will be allowed to operate with 50% seating capacity, He said.
Wearing a face mask is mandatory even for a single person driving a vehicle. In case of persons travelling in any private car, up to 100% of its seating capacity, wearing of face masks is mandatory for all the persons.
In the night curfew, there shall be a total ban on movement of individuals from 6.30 PM to 5.00 AM daily, except the exempted essential services including media persons subject to COVID-19 appropriate behavior.
There shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement/transportation of essential/non-essential goods. No separate permission/e-pass will be required for such movements, Directions have been all deputy commissioners to comply with the order.
Meanwhile, in Itanagar Capital Complex (ICC), Deputy Commissioner Talo Potom informed that following activities and additional containment measures a part of one declared on Thursday is hereby enforced. Several activities shall remain suspended during the full containment period (Lockdown) from 5 AM of May 10 to 5 AM of May 17 such as operation of all shops and business establishments except milk and dairy product, vehicular movement, any kind of construction activities in sites operated by government and private individuals.
However, DC Potom added that construction under major projects of the government shall be exempted from underpass construction at Bank Tinali on NH-415. Potom also added that public movement, office and institution both government and private shall also be restricted during the period.
DC further informed that delivery of food and essential services and e-commerce will be allowed. The arrangement for delivery of food and essential services is being done and these services will be allowed.
“Inter-district movement through Itanagar Capital Complex as transit shall not be allowed and are to be routed through Papum Pare district. One time exit pass out of Itanagar shall be issued on application made two days in advance to the district Covid Control Room” DC informed.
DC also informed that banking services will be allowed to function with minimum staff according to Covid appropriate behaviors.
