“I am glad to share that Manipur is now Corona free.Both patients hv fully recovered and have tested negative.There are no fresh cases of the virus in the state. This has been possible because of cooperation of public &medical staff and strict enforcement of lockdown,” Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had tweeted tagging @PMOIndia on April 19, 2020. And yesterday, on May 4, the Govt has started giving relaxations in the lockdown in the state area wise.

By Sanjoo Thangjam, Special Correspondent, IOP, Imphal, Manipur

Imphal, May 5, 2020: Following the announcement of the new guideline for the ongoing lockdown by the Chief Secretary of Manipur J. Sureshbabu relaxing some of the sectors including shops in Paona Keithel and Thangal Keithel here in the state capital, normalcy partially returns with people coming out to procure day to day requirement. The new guidelines for the lockdown came in force today after the 2nd guideline expired yesterday.

The three Khwaramband IMA Keithels including the temporary market sheds and dry fish vendors popularly known as Ngari galli at Khwairamband Keithel remain closed as per the guidelines.

Government offices too are all set to resume with the new guideline announcing 50% compulsory attendance below the rank of Under Secretary.

All ranks of Undersecretary and above are to attend offices, which mean government is working out all measures to make the administration functional while breaking the chain of the COVID-19 pandemic from spreading among the people.

Schools, Colleges and other educational institutions remain closed, private run Public transport of all kinds including passenger carrier vehicles, inter states and inter district buses stay off the road as per the guidelines.

But Imphal city today witness huge vehicular movement during relaxing hour. Govt. announces lifting the ban on movement from 6 am to 4 pm.   

In Churachandpur district too , some vegetable vendors and grocery shops are allowed to open but the main market has not been open. In Thoubal district too, except for the Ima Market many shops were seen open with people thronging in buy their day today need.

As per an order issued by chief secretary Dr J Suresh Babu, all activities except for a few are permitted in the state subject to strict social distancing norms and national directive for COVID-19 management.

The activities which will remain prohibited include all domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for medical services, air ambulance and for security purposes or for purposes as permitted by MHA; all passenger movement by trains, except for security purposes or for purposes as permitted by state home department; inter-state buses for public transport, except as permitted by state; inter-state movement of individuals except for medical reasons or for activities as permitted by state.

All schools, colleges, educational, training and coaching institutions will remain close. However, online/ distance learning shall be permitted.

Other prohibited activities include hospitality services other than those used for housing health/police/ government officials/healthcare workers, stranded persons including tourist, and those used for quarantine facilities and those catering home delivery of food; all cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places; all social/ political/ sports/entertainment/academic/ cultural/religious functions/other gatherings.

Police Honoured Journalists of Manipur

A team of Manipur Police led by SDPO Imphal West Th. Bidyapati and Officer in Charge of City Police Maibam Sudhirkumar who have been sparing no pains in protecting the people from the dreaded COVID -19 invasion honoured Journalists of Manipur who also contributes their energy in the fight yesterday but has not been notice, with gifts of edible items and other essential commodities in reporting news beats today.   

President of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) Bijoy Kakchingtabam, along with the members of the AMWJU while receiving the gifts thanks state police for the honour. 

On the other hand Young Pioneer Handicapped persons Development of Manipur also presented edible food item to the AMWJU President for distribution to the journalists’ fraternity.   

Not Maintaining Social Distancing

However, on the other hand, a shocking scene witness today in front of State Bank of India (SBI) at MG Avenue here in Imphal was that many aged people stood in front of the bank without maintaining physical distancing as the bank that they were waiting to withdraw their pension had not allowed them to enter for reason best known to the authority.

The aged people reportedly came to the bank as the government has relaxed the lockdown for some sectors including Banking sectors.

But they were seen braving the sun’s heat waiting for the banks to open. Imphal Times reporters when enquired to them said that they were waiting to withdraw their pension.

Image courtesy - The Morning Bell