COVID-19: Manipur Asks Ambulance Sirens to be Silenced as they Cause Social Anxiety

Imphal:

As India continues to suffer from the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the huge increase in cases of coronavirus infection has sparked mass hysteria and anxiety. 

Keeping in mind the mental well-being of its residents, the Government of Manipur has instructed all Chief Medical officers, medical superintendents, all private hospitals, and private ambulance services agencies in the state to mute the ambulance sirens.

Stating that the sound of the ambulance sirens causes people to panic and create social anxiety, the Director of Health Services, Manipur has asked ambulances to silence the sirens. 

The order also stated that since most of the time the roads are empty and there is hardly any traffic, the use of sirens will not be necessary. However, the order also stated that sirens should only be activated if the roads are blocked. 

On May 8, the state government placed a curfew in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Ukhrul, Thoubal, Kakching, and Churachandpur, which has been extended until May 28. Read more

In another news from the state of Manipur, following the death of the BJP state president, the Manipur Police Department booked journalist Kishorchandra Wangkhem and activist Erendro Leichombam under the National Security Act. The two have previously stated that the saffron party should no longer promote cow urine as a remedy for Covid-19. They had been granted bail earlier in the day by an Imphal court, but the government utilized the National Security Act to prevent their release. 

On Tuesday, Manipur reported the addition of 624 new COVID-19 cases, taking the number to 40,683. With the addition of 20 more deaths, the total number of COVID-19 induced fatalities now stands at 612.

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