Manipur extends lockdown till July 15 to contain Covid spread

IMPHAL: The Manipur government has decided to extend the lockdown by another 15 days from July 1 to 15 in the wake of a surge in the novel coronavirus cases. The ongoing lockdown was to end on June 30 but considering the situation across the country, the lockdown restrictions were extended. The state has so far recorded 1,094 cases, including 432 recoveries and no fatalities and the recovery rate stands at 39.56%.

N Biren Singh, Chief Minister, Manipur, said inter-district bus services will be allowed between July 1 to 15 maintaining all COVID-19 safety measures and no other public transport will run during this period. He added that daily domestic flight service, which was limited to only one flight a day, would be increased to five from Monday.

Singh mentioned that the testing capacity has been increased due to the installation of new machines with which nearly 2,600 samples can be tested in a day in the state and results can be provided within 24 hours. The authorities are also adding 750 beds for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. So far, 50,000 samples have been tested and there is no proof of community transmission of the disease in the state.