As the country scrambles to escape Coronavirus Crisis, the eight northeastern states of the region have gone into overdrive with precautionary measures. The fear about coronavirus has gripped the Northeast more, with the state governments going an extra mile to tackle the situation. Sharing 90% of its borders with China occupied Tibet, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan, the first thing was to seal the International borders. Centre and states marshal their resources for a quick and effective response, awareness has been spread to nooks and corner of Northeast.
With 5 dealths, the total number of positive cases of COVID19 in India now over 250. The five deaths reported in the country so far are one each from Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan. With the number of confirmed cases surging across the globe, governments are gearing up to facilitate conditions for social distancing.
Meanwhile, the Assam government has taken all the necessary steps to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. So far, all the total 57 samples from Assam have been tested negative for Coronavirus, informed Assam health minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Dr. Sarma said, “ We have four Coronavirus testing centres in Assam. Besides Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Jorhat Medical College and Hospital and Regional Medical Research Centre, Dibrugarh, one more centre has been approved in Silchar.”
About Assam Preparedness: Health Minister inform
• $2000 dollars to be given to all those people from Assam who are outside India as Tourist and have left India in past 30 days, as they have not been able to return home.
• This is a gesture from Assam govt
• Assam govt will take up visa expiry cases of such stranded people with the concerned country
• -Request all commercial establishments, shops, private establishments to keep hand sanitiser or soap and water facility
• -No passenger to stand in buses etc. Any bus found violating this will be confiscated.
• -All health dept employee to work round-the-clock
• -Stamping to start from Mar 22 for all incoming passengers – airports, railway stations etc.
• -All exams postponed till Mar 31
• -Maintain strict social distancing till at least April 5 in Assam
• -Assam still in Stage –I, No confirmed COVID-19 case in Assam
• -More ICMR accreditation for testing soon
• -Now Assam has 4 ICMR accredited testing sites
• -Out of the 1,003, 164 now out of home quarantine after being quarantined for 28 days
• -62,000 screened at railway stations, their homes etc
• -16,508 passengers screened at airports so far
Meanwhile, Asaam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal tweeted
Called on Hon’ble Governor Shri @jagdishmukhi ji along with colleague Shri @himantabiswa at Raj Bhavan and apprised him of steps taken by the Govt to prevent spread of coronavirus in Assam. Together, we can fight #COVID19
We, the people of India, will fight out Coronavirus together, thanks to PM Shri @narendramodi ji’s clarion call on the global pandemic. I urge all to join the Janata Curfew on Sunday, March 22 from 7AM to 9PM & take resolute steps to protect our nation from the dreaded disease.
Amid the coronavirus outbreak in China and other countries, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with the state governments, has been maintaining a strict vigilance in all the 12 functional airports in the Northeast. To curb the threat of COVID-19, authorities have set up several screening and testing centres along the borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh, which shares frontiers along the seven northeastern states.
Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal with Inner Line Permit (ILP) system have stopped issuing the permits to prevent the spread of coronavirus, thereby making it impossible for outsiders to visit these states.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh tweeted
In this extraordinary circumstance, I appeal to the people of my state to become soldiers in the fight against #COVID19. Collective efforts will only defeat #COVID19. “Hum Honge Kamyaab”. Jai Hind.
The primary concern of the govt.,at this hour, is to protect and save the lives of the people, economy and others can be considered later on. The COVID-19 should not be taken lightly as it hasn’t reached Manipur, instead people should follow all precautionary measures and norms.
Meanwhile, the Arunachal Government has appealed to the citizens of the state, including those returning from the Covid-19 affected areas, to go for self-quarantine even if one may test negative, for the safety of their loved ones at home.
Alo Libang, health minister of Arunachal Pradesh told us, “As a precautionary measure to contain the likely spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the State, the Arunachal Pradesh Government has cancelled all the visitor/tourist Inner Line Permits (ILPs) so that no virus-infected person can enter our state.”
Arunachal Pradesh too has suspended the issue of ILPs and e-ILP to domestic tourists from March 18 until further notice. The state had earlier suspended issuing of restricted area permits (necessary for foreigners to visit the state).
“Arunachal Pradesh – we have not detected single case till now. We don’t allow foreigners or others from affected states to come to Arunachal Pradesh . All International borders are sealed,”he said.
Amid Rising Coronavirus Pandemic, the hill state has sealed borders with the neighboring countries to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“Screening of all passengers entering the state capital through check gates, railway stations, and other transit points,” are being done.
“We can prevent covid19 by maintaining personal hygine, therefore, we sensitize people by spreading awareness and adopting various precautionary measures to all the district hq,” he added.
The health department has issued an advisory, asking people to postpone occasions that call for mass gatherings. Arunachal Pradesh has not registered any novel coronavirus case so far.
Arunachal Pradesh preparedness
• Massive Screening for Coronavirus at Various check gate, Bus stands, Railway station and Airports
• International border sealed
• suspends issuing of Inner Line Permits
• Pasighat-West MLA Ninong Ering has donated his one-month salary to Arunachal Pradesh health department for prevention of Coronavirus.
• public awareness campaign
• appealed people for self-quarantine
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted
Arunachal is taking the issue of #CoronaVirus very seriously. Ensuring that every entry point in Arunachal follows full proof screening procedure to stop the virus spreading in the state. A video conference today with all DCs and SPs.
To check the threat of COVID-19, Indian authorities have set up screening and testing centres along the borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Screening and testing centres are now also operational in the checkposts along India-Bangladesh borders with Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
Four north-eastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam share a 1,880 km border with Bangladesh, while Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh share 1,640-km of unfenced border with Myanmar.
The Northeastern state have not only sealed International border but also put restriction on Interstate movement as tourist and visitors are strictly monitored.
Although, till date no COVID19 case detected, the Mizoram government has sealed international borders and inter-state borders barring few entry and exit points as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of deadly coronavirus.
“In all other international and inter-state borders and check posts other than mentioned above, district authorities should maintain barricades and have police personnel on duty 24 hours to prevent entry of people from across the borders,” the notification also said.
The notification further stated that screening will conducted on all goods and passengers in all the entry points and those passengers, who have obtained slip for screening within the stipulated time-frame will be allowed to proceed after going through screening even after closure of the gate.
Health department officials said that screening for the deadly virus is being carried out in full swing in border areas and Lengpui airport.
Chief Minister Zoram Thanga tweeted
An emergent Cabinet Meeting was held today to discuss various precautionary strategies and measures adopted by the Govt. of Mizoram against #NovelCoronavirus outbreak As a self-containment measure, all pending Public Interviews at the CMO Mizoram have been canceled and precautionary measures are issued by my office. However, for unavoidable meetings, I will be available via video-conferencing from my private office.
There are no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Mizoram yet but we will do our utmost to keep the public safe. All educational institutions and public places will be closed till March 31st. I urge everyone not to panic but rather be alert and practice self precautionary measures.
Mizoram preparedness
-sealed international borders and inter-state borders barring few entry and exit points as a precautionary measure
• massive screening at the inter state border as well as any movement
• vigilance and screening at Airport, bus terminus
• makeshift market banned
• limitize Interstate movement
To avoid spread of coronavirus, the Tripura Government has banned entry of foreigners through immigration points.
No foreigner will be allowed to enter the State through immigration centres like Agartala (Akhaura), Srimantapur, Muhurighat, Khowai and Raghna.
Even though no positive cases have been reported yet, however, the government is not taking any chances and are closely monitoring the situation. As world continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, The state government has shut down schools, colleges and other educational institutions along with cinema halls, gymnasiums and swimming pools up to March 31. Markets, shopping malls and parks were mostly empty and there were very few passengers on auto-rickshaws, buses and other public transports.
Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb tweeted
Little changes in our habits can easily beat the threat of Corona Virus.Our collective efforts in practicing few daily habits and following few instructions can stop spreading Novel Corona Virus (#COVID19). I appeal every citizen to take precautions. Also share this message.
The state surveillance officer Tripura, Deep Debbarma said, “Till now almost 165 passengers coming from affected countries or area are but under quarantine and out of this 165 , 12 came from high risk countries like Italy, Germany and USA . These 12 people we have isolated at departmental quarantine point. Rest are put under home quarantine.”
Not only put under home quarantine, Tripura Government takes initiative to monitor them as well.
“District magistrate and collector with district health officials are given responsibility to verify if the person staying at home by maintaining the protocol or not,” he added.
Tripura, which is surrounded by Bangladesh on three sides, shares an 856-km-long border with the neighbouring country. It has eight designated check-posts, including the Akhaura ICP.
However all these borders are sealed except Akhaura ICP which will facilitate entry of Indians only after proper screen. Entry from Bangladesh though the integrated check post at Akhaura has also been prohibited.
“All the borders are closed and only one border check post is open and it is the entry point for the Indians and foreigners are not allowed,” he added.
Those who were allowed to enter India through the Akhaura Integrated Check Post would be quarantined for 14 days in Tripura
The state government has promulgating Section 144 of the CrPC across the state to counter the coronavirus threat. Sreening with infrared thermometers are done at at entry point, airport, check post, railway station, , inter state bus terminal, all over.
The government has tried to get ahead of the rumors — the line from India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is “Say No to Panic, Say Yes to Precautions.”
Meghalaya on Saturday observed 24-hour statewide shutdown as the chief Minister calls it as ‘coronavirus awareness day’.
All public transport, commercial establishments and markets remain shut to create awareness about the pandemic among the people of the state.
“We are calling it coronavirus awareness day and we ensures to educate our locality and family members about various precautions such as washing hands and social distancing,” he said.
. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Saturday interacted with people through Facebook live and spoke about personal hygiene including washing hand, using sanitizer and creates awareness among people. He spoke about the significance of corona awareness day for which 24 hour statewide shut down being observe in Meghalaya so that transmission chain of this virus is broken.
The Meghalaya CM urged the citizens to report any travel history in the last 14 days, like students, working professionals, both private and government, to use any of the three ways to inform the government.
Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma has also sought the cooperation of every citizen to fight coronavirus.
Conrad Sangma said: “During this global pandemic of COVID-19, we need the cooperation of every citizen to fight coronavirus disease.”
Stating that the “next four weeks are crucial for our state to break the transmission chain of the virus”, the CM appealed to every citizen of the state to adhere to all the guidelines and advisories issued by the state government.
The Meghalaya government has decided to shut tourist spots in the State as part of its measures to prevent any possible transmission and outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The State’s preparedness to tackle COVID-19 was also reviewed by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma at a meeting during which he asked Deputy Commissioners to screen all people entering their districts. The Chief Minister gave the instructions via video conferencing to the Deputy Commissioners and medical officers of the districts.
Participation of local headman and community besides closely monitoring the situation in the State for the next 15 days is crucial, he said.
Although, thermal; screening of the people is being conducted in every entry exit point in the state, border haats has been temporarily shut while, International border is sealed. BSF is monitoring every movement across the border.
The Meghalaya government has ordered shutdown of schools and colleges and cancellation or postponement of major sports events till March 31 to avoid mass gatherings in view of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
In view of COVID19 scare, Nagaland government barred entry of visitors to the state secretariat and other administrative buildings in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The restrictions would continue till further orders.
The CMO tweeted
In order to prevent and contain the spread of Corona Virus, and as a precautionary measure entry of visitors, except officials and staff, to the #Nagaland Civil Secretariat is barred with immediate effect.
The authorities are screening all persons entering the state through trains at the Dimapur railway station. Police personnel manning different check gates at the inter-state borders are also screening persons entering Nagaland by road.
The state government has also directed all deputy commissioners to temporarily suspend enrollment activities where biometric records are needed to be taken. State Health and Family Welfare Department said there is no positive case of COVID-19 in Nagaland.
Neiphiu Rio tweets
I appeal to the people of #Nagaland returning from #COVID19 affected areas, esp. students coming back home to contact helpline 7005435243/9856071745/7005539653, Toll Free no 1070 or email nlssu.idsp@nic.in
Please self-quarantine for your own safety and care for your loved ones.
Sikkim quarantines itself, seals borders, bans entry of outsiders as coronavirus fear spikes. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang discussed immediate measures needed to be taken to tackle the outbreak of novel coronavirus. The State government has been working vigilantly and taking all possible measures to prevent any outbreak. Sikkim, so far, has not reported a single coronavirus positive case. 144 Cr PC is been imposed in East and South Districts of Sikkim following Covid 19, a contagious Coronavirus Outbreak.
Meanwhile, Calling for “resolve and restraint” to fight coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked the entire country to observe ‘Janta curfew’ on Sunday. In a nearly 30-minute national broadcast, he asked people to stay indoors and work from home as much as possible while underscoring the dangers of coronavirus, saying the world has never seen a crisis as grave as this.
The prime minister also announced the setting up of a ‘Covid-19 Economic Response Task Force’ to decide on relief package for sectors hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
The task force, to be headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, will look at measures to limit economic hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, he said in his address to the nation.
The ICMR has said that India is still in the second stage of transmission, i.e. local transmission. It also said that there is no sign of community transmission which is the third stage, even as the ICMR called upon private labs for testing.
A day after addressing the nation on the issue, and emphasising the importance of social distancing and a people’s curfew (on Sunday), Modi interacted with all CMs for the first time on the pandemic through a video conference.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told state chief ministers on Friday the next three to four weeks are crucial in the fight against SARS-Cov-2, which causes Covid-19, asked them to redouble efforts to crack down on the pandemic and assured them of all possible help from the Centre, according to people aware of what happened during the interaction.
The Prime Minister asked the states to work with the Centre and underlined that India finds itself at a critical milestone in the spread of the virus. He also said there was no need for any panic.
Some chief ministers, including our West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, requested the government to allow private hospitals to test for and treat the disease as pressure is mounting on the government’s medical establishments.
India’s health ministry plans to allow 51 private laboratories to start testing, although it has not actioned this yet. Health ministry officials also added that they are already in touch with private hospitals and will engage them if the need arises.
Prime Minister Modi said the “threat of the pandemic is common for all states” and added that in this critical time the centre and all states must work together.
Dr Balram Bhargava, director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research explained how India is currently in “phase 2 of transmission” or infection that originated elsewhere, which allows states to take action to stop the disease reaching phase 3 or community transmission.
