Aizawl, Aug 18: The Mizoram government announced a 4-day complete lockdown in Aizawl Municipal Corporation area starting from 8 pm on Sunday.

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by the health minister, Dr R. Lalthangliana involving top officials, police officers and doctors.

With 12 more fresh cases reported in the past 24 hours, Mizoram’s COVID numbers have risen to 789. 6 cases were reported from Aizawl, 3 from Kolasib, 2 from Sercchip and 1 from Lawngtlai. The total number of active cases are now 418 while 371 people have already recovered.

The streets of the state capital looked deserted without any vehicles, except those dealing with duties for the pandemic. The police ordered all business shops, government and private company offices to remain shut. However, banks, shops selling essential commodities and filling stations remained open.

The order prohibited incoming passengers into the AMC area besides those who had taken permission from state home department or from the Aizawl district Deputy Commissioner in case of medical emergencies, for example, death of a family member.

According to the health department, at least 55 local transmission cases have been reported and there is a high risk of community transmission.

A complete lockdown was necessary to facilitate collection and testing of swab samples of primary and secondary contacts to perform extensive tracing and testing of people who have already come in contact with a patient and those who have high risks of getting infected.

Lengpui airport will remain open during the lockdown.

Only essential commodities can be imported inside the state capital and shops dealing with them can remain open with arrangements made by the DC and local level task force.

Religious, educational and training institutes will remain closed. Upcoming offline examinations will be postponed in the AMC area. Only online examinations will be allowed.

No resident other than those exempted can step out of their house. Funerals or important public gatherings cannot have more than 50 attenders.