Itanagar: Amid the increasing COVID-19 cases, the Arunachal Pradesh Government on Tuesday ordered to close all government and private schools in the state from January 12.
The ‘order’, which will remain effective till January 31 next, encourages online classes to be conducted on working days.Regarding the institutions of higher learning, the government directed the colleges, universities and higher technical institutions to regulate the timing of their classes with 50% capacity in well-ventilated rooms following COVID-appropriate behaviour and physical distancing norms.
In a fresh set of guidelines (SOPs) issued Tuesday, it was stated that “at all the inter-state check gates, entry may be allowed only for those who have completed double dose vaccination”.
Further, the Deputy Commissioners have been authorized to announce needed COVID-19 containment measures and/or declare containment zones in their respective territorial jurisdictions, considering the local conditions, in consultation with the Health Department. “Night curfew may be imposed daily from 9 pm to 5 am from 12th January 2022 till 31st January 2022,” it said.
“Offices would adopt virtual functioning with only 50% physical attendance of essentially required staff on rotation basis as decided by HoDs (head of departments). Official meetings may be conducted virtually rather than in physical mode,” the Govt order said, adding that public visitors may not be allowed in all Govt offices upto January 31.
In addition, all public servants have been asked to submit their final vaccination certificates in their respective offices.
“All workplaces, businesses, commercial establishments may be permitted to operate till 8 pm, with double dose vaccinated staff and strict observance of COVID appropriate behviour,” the guidelines said. Bars, restaurants, gyms, swimming pools, cinema halls, auditoriums, etc would be regulated for operating at 50% capacity.
Apart from disallowing mass gatherings, weekly markets, haats, etc and mass/religious gatherings/events in indoor/closed spaces, the order said, fairs/exhibitions may not be organized and super spreading events like melas, local festivals, etc should be cancelled/deferred.
“Public meetings for outdoor events should be restricted to a maximum of 100 persons for vaccinated persons only (single dose/double dose) with strict observance of COVID appropriate behaviour and physical distancing norms, with prior permission from the district administration,” it said.
Both public and private transports have been asked to operate at 50% capacity by strictly observing the COVID appropriate behaviour.
“Any person (found) violating the aforesaid measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC and other legal provisions, as applicable,” Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, who is also the Chairperson of State Executive Committee, warned.
Presently, the Northeastern state has 352 active COVID-19 cases with 321 of them being lodged and treated in home isolation, health officials said.
