Manipur government on March 27 allowed opening of shops selling food items to be sold to people.
Officials, police were assigned in most places and people were asked to strictly maintain safe distance and take all precautions. The state has one confirmed case of COVID-19 who is now recovering at JNIMS.
Government also announced the rate for the next one week for all the essential items.
However, no one was allowed to purchase more than one kg per item and one litre of oil. Pharmacies were open and people coming out to buy medicines were allowed to come out of their homes.
Blockades put out by residents were also removed to enable movement of police, health officials. Most MLAs arranged distribution of rice in their constituencies. About 10 kg of rice was given to every household free of cost.
Meanwhile, police rounded up people for defying the curfew. Manipur Police maintained strong caution not to physically assault people but encouraged people to enforce the restrictions themselves. Two police officers were also suspended for allegedly using sticks while dealing with citizens.
A 23-year-old female studying in UK who returned on March 21 was found to be COVID-19 positive on March 24. She is recovering well and has no sign of fever.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh said government is taking all measures and help line was opened in his office. He was personally monitoring the well being of all people of Manipur who were stranded on the way back to the state. Manipur Bhawans located at Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati were helping people and the CM ordered the opening of all rooms meant for the chief minister and VIPS to accommodate stranded people.
So far about 1,84,028 people including 55 foreigners were screened on their arrival at the airport and border areas of Jiribam, Mao. About 500 people have been asked to be under home quarantine and 323 people have completed the quarantine period. Officials, police were regularly monitoring the arrangements of those who are under home quarantine, the chief minister said.
The government has also arranged about 16 quarantine centres and the government is providing PPE, masks etc. He also thanked people for donating money to the COVID-19 relief fund. He appealed to people to cooperate with the government and to remain safe by staying at home.
