Amit Shah’s Manipur visit postponed due to coronavirus threat
Manipur minister Biswajit also appealed to the people to reduce mass gathering especially during the ongoing 5-day Yaoshang festival which will conclude on Friday.
Union Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah’s proposed Manipur visit on March 15 has been postponed in view of the advisory to avoid mass gathering due to the threat posed by coronavirus (COVID-19).
The state government’s spokesperson Thongam Biswajit Singh, who is also a minister in the BJP led coalition government, said the postponement was due to the “prevailing” situation.
“Union home minister Amit Shahji’s proposed visit has been postponed till April 15 considering the prevailing situation,” Biswajit said, before adding: “The step has been taken up in view of the government advisory to avoid mass gathering.”
Minister Biswajit also appealed to the people to reduce mass gathering especially during the ongoing 5-day Yaoshang festival which will conclude on Friday.
Several advisories have been released by the central and state authorities and steps taken to avoid mass gatherings as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Although there is no confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state as of now, Manipur government has restricted movement of people across the international border with Myanmar and increased screening in the border areas and at the airport. All people entering the state are being screened as well.
More than 1 lakh persons, including air passengers, have been screened at entry points including Moreh, Behiang, Sinzawl, Tusom, Kamjong, Mao gate, Jiribam and at Imphal International airport.
The State also ordered closure of all schools in the state till March 31 as a precautionary measure.
“In order to ensure reduction of mass gatherings and to avoid spread of Covid-19 novel coronavirus disease and as a precautionary measure, the government of Manipur is pleased to order all schools (government, government aided including private schools) located within Manipur state shall remain closed with immediate effect till March 31, 2020 in public interest,” said an order signed by T Ranjit Singh, Commissioner (Education-Schools).
The order, however, said the scheduled examinations by state secondary board and the council of higher secondary schools were exempted from the order.
“However all kinds of examinations already scheduled (both theory and practicals conducted by Board of Secondary Education Manipur) and Council of Higher Secondary Schools will not be affected,” the order added.
A total of 74 people in India are infected with coronavirus as per the data available on Thursday evening.