Normal activities on cards in most areas of Capital Region

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh government has decided to lift restrictions and to allow activities in the Capital Complex which is under a month-long lockdown, except those areas declared as containment zones, a senior government official said here on Sunday.

The Capital Complex comprising Itanagar, Naharlagun, Nirjuli and Banderdewa areas, is under lockdown till August 3.

The State Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu in a meeting held on Saturday decided to allow activities under certain regulations in all areas of the Capital region except those declared as containment zones by the district administration, Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar told reporters during a virtual Press Conference.

The Chief Secretary informed that the Cabinet after a detailed deliberation decided to allow normal activities in the Capital region from August 3 to 31 with all government offices outside containment zones would function normally. However, visitors would not be allowed to government offices.

According to the new unlock protocols, all economic activities would be permitted outside the containment zones with shops and business establishments including standalone shops would remain open from 8 am to 5 pm. However, Health facilities and pharmacies would function without restrictions, the Chief Secretary informed.

On the national highway from Banderdewa to Hollongi, shops and business establishments on the alternate sides of the road would be opened on alternate days.

"There will be complete shutdown of all shops and business establishments on Sunday except health facilities and pharmacies," the Chief Secretary said.

The government also decided to allow movement of public transport with fifty per cent passengers and majority of the government offices would open, Kumar said adding, activities in containment zones would not be allowed except for medical emergencies and supply of essential commodities.

"For proper COVID-19 management, the focus of the government is to give special impetus on tests through RDT-Antigen and RT-PCR tests. Major attention will be given to the containment zones by dedicated medial teams so that the curve of the pandemic could be flattened," Kumar said.

The Shief Secretary added that the government has directed all the Deputy Commissioners to declare containment zones in their respective districts in keeping with the rate of infection so that efforts could be taken to control the disease.

He added that the Cabinet also approved inter-district and intra-district movement of people.

"RDT-Antigen testing kits are available in all the district hospitals and directives have been issued to the deputy commissioners to make available such kits in all the primary health centres and community health centres of their respective districts," the Chief Secretary disclosed, adding that stocks of two ICMR-recommended medicines for COVID-19 treatment are available in the State.

He added that the Cabinet also approved certain standard operation procedures (SoPs) for returnees and COVID-19 positive mothers.

"The returnees to the State will have to undergo RDT-Antigen test at the entry gate and if tested negative, he will be allowed to go for five days home quarantine if the person has an independent house with separate toilet facility," Kumar said. However, he would be under strict observation of the district administration and if he is found violating the home quarantine guidelines in the five days, he would be immediately shifted to institutional quarantine centre, the Chief Secretary added.

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