Corona scare: Northeast on high alert, Manipur shuts Myanmar border

March 11: Coronavirus seemed to have taken the sleep of all state governments in India as well. For being in close proximity to China, Northeast India is on high alert. Manipur government has shut down entry points of India-Myanmar borders at Moreh. Although Myanmar reported no coronavirus cases so far, its proximity and the porous border with China have left many in the Northeast India worried.

The Manipur government in an order said, “In view of the possible threat of transmission of #Coronavirus / COVID-19, the international border with Myanmar has been closed including gate no 1 and 2 in Moreh until further orders.” The order was issued by H. Gyan Prakash, special secretary (home).

It needs mention here that the states of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram share the 1,624 km borders with Myanmar. The Mizoram government is also contemplating to seal the Indo-Myanmar border as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh government has temporarily stopped issuing Protected Area Permits (PAPs) to foreigners to check the spread of coronavirus.