Complete lockdown lifted in Aizawl Municipal Corporation areas

Complete lockdown has been lifted in Aizawl and resumption of economic activities has been allowed. A press release issued by the government of Mizoam announced the decision. "A further extension in lockdown is unthinkable because it severely affected the state's economy and livelihood of the poor," said the release. The complete lockdown in AMC area was imposed since July 18.

The recent meeting of important officials and representatives of various political parties chaired by Mizoram deputy chief minister Tawnluia has agreed that stringent guidelines, which allowed certain economic activities, be devised as complete easing of lockdown is prudentially not suggestive in view of the rising Covid-19 cases in the state.

Health minister Dr R Lalthangliana informed the meeting that the state is now grappling with the worst COVID-19 surge.

Although the state could somehow manage to deal with the first of COVID-19 between March, 2020 and March 2021, it faces huge crisis in the ongoing second wave (Since April 2021) as cases have increased exponentially.

"Although we have tried our best to slow down the transmission rate by ramping up facilities and manpower, our advanced preparation could not sustain the second wave and control the rising cases because it is highly contagious," the health minister said.

Stringent guidelines, which allowed certain economic activities, would be devised as complete easing of lockdown is prudentially not suggestive in view of the rising Covid-19 cases in the state.

Whereas 4,476 COVID-19 cases were reported in the state during the first wave, as many as 38,333 cases have been detected in the ongoing second wave in Mizoram from April to August 5 this year, he said.

He said that 1,655 cases were reported in April, 6,268 in May, 8,093 in June, 18,433 in July and 3,884 cases have been reported so far in August (till 5).

"We have to learn how to live with COVID-19 while strictly maintaining COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) and respecting Covid-19 protocols," he said.

Lalthangliana also said that vaccination drive will continue to be carried out in full swing across the state. Mizoram on Friday reported 725 COVID-19 cases, pushing the state's tally to 42,808. At least 161 people have succumbed to the infection so far.

The number of active cases now stands at 12,511, while 30,136 people have recovered from the infection, including 589 on Friday. The state has tested over 6.69 lakh samples for COVID-19 till date. According to the health department, more than 6.35 lakh people have been vaccinated till Thursday.