Stringent measures to be put in place to contain COVID-19 in Hailakandi

August 24: The Hailakandi district administration has put stringent measures to arrest the rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases in the district in the past couple of weeks. In an order issued to this effect here on Monday, Deputy Commissioner cum Chairperson, DDMA, Megh Nidhi Dahal said the administration has been compelled to adopt stringent measures with effect from August 27 to September 4 for nine days to break the chain of transmission to contain growing incidences of coronavirus cases in the district.

Explaining the reason for putting in place stricter regulations, Dahal said, “The significant rise in number of patients afflicted with COVID-19 disease has put tremendous constraints in availability of beds in the designated COVID hospitals and at SMC&H. In such a situation, the need of the hour is to cut off the transmission chain to reduce the strain on existing infrastructure and to bring the situation under control.”

The order stated that all shops and establishments, barring pharmacies shall remain shut within the jurisdiction of Hailakandi Municipal Board and Lala Town Committee areas and locations contiguous to them, besides other densely populated areas. Only standalone shops in rural areas will be allowed to remain open from 8 am to 4 pm. The order stated that economic activities such as agriculture and allied activities, tea garden activity, construction work and industry related activities shall continue to operate.

Plying of local public transport, including e-rickshaws allowed for ferrying persons to COVID testing centres and examinees to examination centres following strict social distancing norms, the order stated. All government offices and establishments, post offices, banks, financial institutions and e commerce activities will function as usual.

There will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods, the order stated, adding that no separate passes would be required for the same. The order warned that anyone violating the directives will be prosecuted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other provisions of IPC.