Following yesterday's decision of the Government of Mizoram to enforce a partial shutdown of the state in the wake of the pandemic COVID-19, the Chief Secretary, Pu Lalnunmawia Chuaungo today held a briefing to address the concerns during the shutdown and coordinate efforts at various levels during the shutdown period of one week. Accordingly, the following advisory to be followed by public and government officials was finalised.

1. Movement of all public transport(buses, maxi-cabs, taxis and others) and private vehicles during the shutdown period is prohibited. Any movement of the public is also strictly prohibited and they are advised to remain indoors.

2. Except pharmacies and shops/businesses selling essential commodities and items of daily needs, all other shops and business establishments will remain closed. The Local Task Forces at the Local Council and Village Level will permit movement for buying of essential commodities within their jurisdiction. Such Task Forces are requested to identify the shops within their localities which are to remain open and make arrangements at their level for public to buy essential items within their jurisdiction.

3.Pharmacies/medicine shops will open and sell medicines as per the arrangements of Local Task Forces and the prescriptions of medical practitioners. Bulk buying/selling to individuals is prohibited.

4. The Government is making all necessary arrangements for continuation of transport of essential commodities to Mizoram from outside the state.

5. Only Government officials whose presence/need is absolutely required will attend offices. Secretaries/Heads of Departments/Heads of Offices will make necessary arrangements for attendance in government offices/establishments with minimal staff in this regard. The rest of the employees will work from home.

6. Government officials attending offices must invariably carry their IDs.

7. Only Banks dealing with government business will be open with minimal staff. Public transactions will not be entertained by banks. Public are requested to use ATMs and online banking and arrangements for the smooth functioning of the same must be ensured.

8. The Government will be constantly monitoring the prices of essential commodities and goods

9. Lengpui Airport will function as usual, residents of Mizoram stuck outside the state and flying from other parts of the country will be permitted entry into Mizoram.

10. No wayside halts/stoppages or break of journeys are permitted for air passengers or road passengers. They must immediately without delay directly travel to their towns/villages and remain in home quarantine for 14 days. If they have no arrangements of vehicles for travelling to their final destinations, such persons will be quarantined in government designated quarantine facilities for a period of 14 days.  

11. For picking up relatives/passengers from either the Airport or from state borders/boundaries, only the one driver per vehicle is allowed. The permission to such drivers will be given by the Task Forces at the Local Council and Village Level.  

12. People who have no facilities/separate rooms for home quarantine must stay in government designated quarantine facilities.  

13. People still stuck in other parts of the country who are yet to make arrangements for coming back to/reaching Mizoram are requested to remain in the places where they are currently staying.  

14. Hostel owners who have quarantined students/inmates without any further addition of new inmates will continue running their hostels. They must not close down their hostels as of now.

15. Waste collection vehicles will continue plying as usual.

16. The Government is committed to helping any stranded passengers/people, if there are any or anyone facing difficulties due to the lockdown.