Sample collection of at least 2000 frontline workers main objective: CS

 

ES Newsdesk

ITANAGAR, Jul 4: In view of the recent spike of Covid positive cases in the Capital Complex region, the state government on Saturday announced a weeklong total lockdown beginning July 6 in the Itanagar Capital Complex comprising Itanagar, Naharlagun and the Doimukh Circle of Papum Pare district.
The lockdown will be imposed at 5 pm on July 6 and continue till 5 am of July 13. This was announced by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar in presence of Health Secretary Dr P Parthiban, State Surveillance Officer Dr L Jampa and Capital DC Komkar Dolum. 
“The Capital Complex region has seen a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases, 89 so far, causing worries to the state administration and the decision has been taken as a corrective step,” CS said while speaking to reporters, adding that of the total cases, 81 are active with eight recoveries.
Elaborating on the intention of the lockdown, Chief Secretary said that its main objective is to collect samples of at least 2000 frontline warriors who were on Covid duties for the last three months, also asserting that the state government has been successful in containing the spread of the pandemic.
While admitting that cases have risen during the last few weeks, he said that most of the new cases are returnees from outside the state and only five are of frontline warriors engaged in different quarantine or Covid Care Centres. 
“During this lockdown, we will take samples of all the frontline warriors who are currently working in different areas of the Capital Complex. It will increase our confidence to work without barriers and give ample time to make necessary arrangements for the containment zone in coming days, if required,” CS informed. He also said that the lockdown will help the administration to create a mechanism for collection of test samples and undertaking other precautionary measures for paramilitary forces posted in the Capital region.
Chief Secretary claimed that the state government is working wholeheartedly in fighting the pandemic and divulged that the primary and secondary contacts of the Covid warriors who recently tested positive have been traced and out of the total 202 samples, 201 are negative.  
Announcing the lockdown, Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted: “Capital Complex will be under lockdown from 6th July (Monday) to 12th July (Sunday). Detailed guidelines and SOP for compliance will be issued shortly.”
As per the directives, no movement of people including vehicles will be allowed during the said period in the above regions except for emergencies with prior approval from the DC. All government offices except Raj Bhawan, State Secretariat & Directorate-CMO, CS Office, Home, Police Hq, Health, Disaster Management, PWD-Roads & Highways, Power, PHE, NIC, DC office, police, courts, fire and emergency services, prisons, electricity, water, sanitation, Highway Office/works shall remain closed.Government officials belonging to above offices kept outside the purview of the lockdown shall be allowed to travel in their own and government-provided vehicles with valid Government ID Cards. All other government officials have been instructed to work from home. 
All commercial & private establishments except banks & ATMs, print and electronic media, health facilities and pharmacies, telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting & cable services, power, water and other utility services, shall remain closed. All industrial establishments except for those engaged in continuous manufacturing processes shall also remain closed.
Regarding transport, the directives mention that all transport services shall remain suspended except transportation for essential goods only. Fire, law and order, emergency and health services and movement of essential commodities to other districts shall be allowed only through the Gumto check gate. Hospitality services shall remain suspended except for the establishments used/earmarked for quarantine facilities.
Home Supply of LPG cylinders will be allowed and all places of worship shall remain shut down for the public. Also, no religious congregations will be permitted without any exception and all social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/cultural/religious gatherings shall be barred. In case of funerals, congregations of not more than twenty persons shall be permitted.
The directives have specifically mentioned that violation of lockdown measures will attract proceedings as per the provisions of Section 51-60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides the legal action under Sec. 188 of the IPC.  Control Room of DC office- +91-7627905695, +91-6033834579, 0360-2300199 shall remain open for providing assistance to the denizens.
It can be recalled that the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has been pressing for the lockdown and concern escalated after two frontline health workers tested positive recently.
Meanwhile, 20 fresh Covid-19 cases were reported in the state on Saturday, taking Arunachal’s virus count to 252. Of the total cases, 176 are active, 75 have recovered and one patient had died. With PTI inputs

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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