Health Minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana this afternoon chaired a meeting of the Health & Family Welfare Board at Secretariat Conference Hall, MINECO where a decision to close all educational institutes and public places such as gymnasiums, picnic spots, cinema hall and swimming pools with effect from tomorrow till the 31st March 2020 was taken in view of the pandemic COVID-19.

The meeting decided to invoke provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (Act No. 3 of 1897) and also consulted Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga to take the decision to close all universities, colleges, schools, anganwadis and pre-schools till the 31st March, 2020 from tomorrow. However, ongoing examinations and evaluations will not be affected by this decision. The meeting decided that the directive issued would be revised as and when necessary, taking into account prevailing conditions.

Public places such as gymnasiums, picnic spots, cinema hall and swimming pools will also be closed till 31.3.2020. Government, church and private hospitals have been asked to continue restrictions on visitors. The meeting also appealed to the public to stay away from large public gatherings. Correctional homes and other such residential institutions have been asked not to entertain any outside visitors. Any new admission to such homes and institutions must be medically screened carefully.

The meeting also appealed to all Churches through the Mizoram Kohhran Hruaitu Committee (MKHC), the umbrella body of various Christian denominations in Mizoram, for spreading awareness about preventive measures in view of the global COVID-19 outbreak on 22nd March 2020.