Several political parties, NGOs and various groups in Mizoram have proposed for the extension of the ongoing lockdown to prevent further spread of novel coronavirus in the state, an official said on May 15.
The hilly state of Mizoram as of now is free of COVID-19 since May 9 when its only patient tested negative and discharged from medical college in Aizawl.
The meeting of various political parties, NGOs, doctors, the church body, village councils, local councils and senior journalists held in presence of Chief Minister Zoramthanga unanimously agreed that lockdown period should be extended beyond the ongoing lockdown to contain the rapidly increasing novel coronavirus.
However, the meeting referred the matter to the state-level task force on mitigation of COVID-19 for the final decision, the official said.
The state-level task force has also been tasked to prepare new guidelines in consultation with other task groups if the lockdown period is extended.
It was mentioned in the meeting that about 10,496 people from Mizoram, who are currently stranded in different parts of the country, have reported for return to the state till May 14. The government had set up quarantine facilities in various parts of the state and the total capacity was 4,172.
Altogether, 1,518 people are currently being put under quarantine at various quarantine centres across the state.
About 547 outsiders are currently stranded in Mizoram, according to officials of the home department.
